Joint state and federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) opened on Wednesday, Oct. 16 in New Caney and on Thursday, Oct. 17, in Liberty to help disaster survivors affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.
Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), local and state agencies will be at the centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans.
They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance. The centers are located at Bull Sallas Park Fair Association Building, 21675 McCleskey Rd., New Caney, and the Jack Hartel Building, 318 San Jacinto St., Liberty. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week (until further notice).
Texas homeowners, renters and business owners in Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery and Orange counties that were included in the major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance may apply for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses incurred from Sept. 17-23, 2019.
Through the Individual Assistance program, homeowners and renters may be eligible to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Survivors who plan to register with FEMA at a DRC should have the following information:
- Social Security number
- Address of the damage primary residence
- Description of the damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- A current contact telephone number
- An address where they can receive mail
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Low-interest disaster loans from SBA are also available to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters to cover residential and business losses as a result of the disaster. Applicants can visit the DRC for one-on-one assistance, visit www.SBA.gov/disaster, or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.