WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue the coordinated federal response to Hurricane Harvey. Life-saving efforts continue in some areas, especially around Beaumont, Texas, where there are still evacuations.
President Donald J. Trump made additional disaster assistance available yesterday to the state of Texas by authorizing an increase in federal funding for certain eligible costs.
The President’s action yesterday authorized 90-percent federal cost share for debris removal, including direct federal assistance; and a 100-percent federal cost share for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for 30 days from the start of the incident period, August 23, and then a 90-percent federal cost share thereafter.
In many areas of Texas and Louisiana, survivors are now able to return home. In these areas, FEMA, along with federal, state, local, and tribal partners, are able to move forward toward the longer-term recovery process. There are more than 30,000 federal partners working on the response and recovery efforts in wake of Hurricane Harvey.
Tangible signs of the recovery phase include a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) now open in Edna, Texas, to support disaster survivors; a Joint Field Office (JFO) that has opened in Austin, Texas, to support recovery efforts; and the appointment of Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator (FDRC) Mike Byrne.
Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) are also in the field, registering survivors and addressing both immediate and emerging needs.
Action snapshot – (as of September 2, 2017)
- Nearly 37,000 people in 270 Red Cross and partner shelters in Texas. More than 2000 people in seven shelters in Louisiana. Nearly 60 people in several shelters in Tennessee.
- More than 2600 Red Cross disaster workers on the ground.
- More than 16,800 individuals and 1,500 pets rescued by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, FEMA, and the Department of Defense.
The following commodities have been provided by FEMA to the states:
- Texas
- More than 4,700,000 meals;
- More than 4,300,000 liters of water;
- More than 13,900 blankets; and
- More than 13,400 cots.
- Louisiana:
- More than 416,000 meals;
- More than 414,000 liters of water.
- More than 507,000 registrations for FEMA disaster assistance. More than 161,000 survivors are approved for more than $114 million in FEMA disaster assistance. Of that amount, $33.6 million is approved for housing assistance i.e. rental assistance, and $81 million is approved for other needs assistance. More than 14,900 survivors checked in to hotels and motels through the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
- More than 67,000 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims have been submitted, and more than $2.9 million in advance payments have been issued to insured survivors.
- 4,416 disaster loan applications, primarily for homes, received by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has fielded more than 10,600 calls, completed 1,430 property damage inspections, and approved 120 disaster loans for a total of $10.6 million.
- 1,700 patients seen by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services staff at federal medical stations and temporary care sites in the Houston area.
- 15,000 booklets distributed by the Centers for Disease Control alerting returning home owners about the urgent need to address mold.
- 5.3 million barrels of crude oil provided through the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by authorization of the U.S. Secretary of Energy.
- More than 2,000 federal law enforcement and support personnel are supporting public safety and security efforts in southeast Texas.
- More than 15,000 National Guard personnel from 40 states are supporting operations.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs has information for veterans on the Veterans Benefits Administration Loan Guaranty, rapid prosthetic replacement, re-issuance of special adaptive grants (home and vehicle) if destroyed in the disaster, continuation of education benefits and re-routing of pension checks
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