FEMA Extends Texas Registration Deadline

AUSTIN, Texas — At the request of the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damages from Hurricane Ike now have until December 12 to register for state and federal disaster assistance.

“We’ve extended the registration deadline to allow people more time to register for assistance,” said Sandy Coachman, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “If you had damage or uninsured losses and have not yet registered, you can do so online at www.fema.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.” Both numbers are available 24 hours, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are also available.

Assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property.

One-on-one assistance is still available at two locations in Fort Bend County.  The Small Business Administration has a center at the Fort Bend County George Memorial Library, second floor, 1001 Golfview Dr., Richmond, Texas 77469.  Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.; on Friday closing at 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday closing at 4:00 p.m.   Also a local Disaster Recovery Center is open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and is located in Sugar Land in front of the Sugar Creek subdivision:  The Park at Sugar Creek, 14025 Southwest Freeway, Suite 202, Sugar Land, Texas  77478.

“If you had damage, you must register with FEMA by December 12. Don’t prejudge yourself or feel that you may be taking something away from your neighbor,” State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun, said. “We want to make every effort to reach all the Texans and ensure that they receive assistance for eligible losses.”

“After you register, an inspector will call to make arrangements to visit your damaged home or apartment,” Coachman said. “Ask for identification when an inspector arrives. FEMA and SBA inspectors all have photo identification badges and there is no fee for their inspections.” Applicants are reminded to keep their FEMA information updated, but not to register twice. Duplicate registrations will delay processing an application.

Renters, homeowners and businesses in the following 34 Texas counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance: Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Nov-2008 08:20:38

###

**Please visit http://www.fortbendcountynews.info for more information pertaining to local events and updates.**