FEMA Assistance Tops $10 Million for South Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

Federal assistance to help individuals and families with basic needs resulting from the recent flooding in South Texas now tops $10 million, about a month after the July 17, 2019, disaster declaration.

The $10.3 million, approved through FEMA's Individuals and Households Program, includes $8.9 million in Housing Assistance to help pay rent for those whose homes were not habitable and for home repairs after the storm. More than $1.3 million was approved for Other Needs Assistance, which helps with other losses and disaster expenses that can make it hard for people to get back on their feet, such as transportation to and clothes for work, childcare and disaster-related funeral expenses.

In addition to the $10 million for individuals and families, federal funding for recovery continues through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The SBA has approved about $8.5 million in low-interest disaster loans for homes and businesses. The NFIP has paid, to date, about $31.7 million in claims.

Affected residents and business owners may apply for disaster assistance by calling the FEMA registration number, 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. An application may also be completed online by going to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

To apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans, applicants can visit their nearest disaster recovery center for one-on-one assistance or apply online using SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

In addition, applicants can get more information on SBA disaster assistance by calling SBA's customer service center at (800) 659-2955, by visiting www.sba.gov/disaster, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

For further information on the Texas recovery, visit the South Texas disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4454, the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at https://www.dps.texas.gov/dem.