Recovery group urges residents to apply for FEMA

Nov. 18--Hurricane Harvey survivors have until the end of November to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"It's imperative that people register for FEMA," said John Frederick, public affairs specialist for the Small Business Administration.

Frederick said although it's close to 90 days after Harvey, residents continue to walk into the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers for help.

"The resources are here. We're still helping people," he said at a Victoria County Long Term Recovery Group meeting Friday.

He stressed the deadline to apply for individual disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans is Nov. 30.

Frederick warned not registering in the federal system could hurt a person's eligibility for other long-term recovery funding.

Officials said the Disaster Recovery Center at the Dr. Pattie Dodson Public Health Center is scheduled to close permanently Dec. 8.

FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison Robin Frye agreed residents should not hesitate to register for disaster assistance.

She said undocumented individuals can apply on behalf of a minor who is a citizen and has a Social Security number.

Commissioner Danny Garcia asked during the meeting about whether undocumented immigrants could seek help through the group's unmet needs committee.

Cathy Garcia, of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, confirmed citizenship is not required for assistance.

Garcia said after the meeting that he was concerned that older, disabled residents without access to a computer or cellphone could miss the FEMA deadline.

He said during the meeting that he's seen about a dozen cases in which a homeowner is working with FEMA and their insurance but unable to get certification from the county that a home is uninhabitable.

Residents who live outside city limits are struggling to get those assessments because the county does not have an engineer or building inspectors.

Group members questioned whether they could partner with a private engineering firm for the assessments.

Finance committee member Kent Grier said the group needs to resolve this issue quickly.

Grier recently joined the group and is a local financial advisor and Rotary member. Former county judge Helen Walker has also volunteered to serve on the finance committee.

Grier said addressing this kind of gap should be a priority for the group.

"To say that we don't do it is not an answer," Grier said.

David Gonzales, deputy emergency management coordinator, said his office is aware of some of these cases and is working on a solution for county residents.

"We're trying to find the best way to reconcile this issue for families so that they can get the assistance," Gonzales said.

Other news includes an urgent need for distribution space and office space.

Chairman Mark Longoria said the long-term recovery group received a donation from Convoy for Hope to hand out 200 hams and groceries to families this weekend. The families were identified through the group's case management process.

Rick Villa, of Communities in Schools, announced that the program received a grant to help families after Harvey and has already started distributing aid.

Johanna Rohan, community service coordinator for 211, suggested the group consider a fundraising event to help fund the unmet needs of Harvey-affected residents.

Related coverage

Day 1: Here comes Harvey

Day 2: Brace yourself

Day 3: 'Prayers protect us'

Day 4: 'We thought we were going to die'

Day 5: 'At least God let us live'

Day 6: 'It's the luck of the draw'

Day 7: 'Everybody will pull together'

Day 8: Guadalupe floods parts of Victoria

Day 9: Texas Zoo evacuates animals (w/video)

Day 10: The Long Road Ahead (w/video)

Day 11: Residents rely on families to rebuild

Day 12: For some, normal still far away

Day 13: Church offers refuge for devastated town

Day 14: Victims find hardship, opportunity (w/video)

Day 15: FEMA frustrates Harvey victims

Day 16: Displaced and in disarray

Day 17: Disaster for humans means catastrophe for pets

Day 18: Nature interrupted (w/video)

Day 19: 'It was like we had been bombed'

Day 20: Students returning to school feel weight of Harvey

Day 21: International Crane Foundation loses office after hurricane

Day 22: Ranching structures, cotton mostly damaged by Harvey

Day 23: Port Lavaca struggles back after Harvey

Day 24: Refugio: 'We're trying to get back to normal'

Day 25: Nonprofit leaves people lost after Harvey

Day 26: 'We are human beings like everyone else'

Day 27: Refugio schools find way to reopen

Day 28: Bloomington schools begin year in different classroom setups

Day 29: Methodist church serves those in need after hurricane

Day 30: Scientists measure damage to endangered species' habitat (w/video)

Day 31: Medical community feels impact of Harvey

Day 32: Harvey's speed leaves many in harm's way

Day 33: After Harvey, Seadrift couple forced out of home

Day 34: Bloomington Elementary School educates students in FEMA dome

Day 35: School districts share issues with state, US senator

Day 36: VISD students observe See You at the Pole

Day 37: Expectant family struggles after Harvey (w/video)

Day 38: Woodsboro pulls together after Harvey

Day 39: Housing options slim for displaced families

Day 40: SBA approves more than $500M in disaster loans

Day 41: Hunger greater in Crossroads post-Harvey

Day 42: 'Harvey broke me'

Day 44: Goliad baby born as hurricane swirled toward Crossroads

Day 45: Mother recalls 'scary' birth during Harvey

Day 46: Harvey devastates homeowners without insurance

Day 47: Officials have no details on housing relief

Day 48: Harvey impacts couple's 2 Victoria businesses, Rockport home

Day 49: Crews begin repair work on historic McFaddin church

Day 50: Hurricane, flood force Jaguars to make adjustments

Day 51: Texas Zoo thanks Vickers students for donation

Day 52: Seadrift women helping people affected by hurricane

Day 53: Mold creates big problem for homeowners

Day 54: Crossroads public agencies deal with FEMA challenges

Day 55: Special delivery

Day 56: Texas Gulf Coast mayors discuss Harvey aftermath

Day 57: Tenants sue after Harvey eviction

Day 58: Nonprofit directors face difficult fundraising decision after Harvey

Day 59: VISD applies for waivers to reduce Harvey burden

Day 60: Victoria's relief efforts lacked coordination, leadership

Day 61: Popular restaurant battles back from Harvey

Day 62: City looks to buy sprinkler controls for $160K

Day 63: Housing after Harvey (w/video)

Day 64: City looks to help with hefty water bills

Day 65: Men's shelter, soup kitchen closed because of Harvey

Day 66: Watt routes almost $1M to Crossroads' hungry

Day 67: Recovery group seeks members, community leaders

Day 68: Habitat volunteers help Harvey victims rebuild

Day 69: Lawmakers, counties to discuss Harvey response

Day 70: Oyster season opens after Harvey; new rules adopted

Day 71: Crossroads leaders talk storm damage to lawmakers

Day 72: Symphony to open concert season after Harvey delay

Day 73: Harvey recovery group works to measure unmet needs

Day 74: City considers ways to shore up water system

Day 75: County officials: Mobile homes need more oversight

Day 76: Recipient of state honor persists despite Harvey setbacks

Day 77: Heroes, lessons emerge in Harvey's wake

Day 78: Harvey, budget shortfalls challenge local leaders

Day 79: Salvation Army traditional holiday meal to continue

Day 80: City water had no bacteria despite Harvey outage

Day 81: Leaders still don't have Harvey recovery details

Day 82: Devereux officials remain hopeful despite hurricane damage

Day 83: Bloomington students, district still feel impact of Harvey

Day 84: Officials consider waiving school accountability ratings

Day 85: FEMA center in Cuero to close Nov. 22

Day 86: Zoo to spread its wings again

Helpful information

Where to get water, gas and other supplies

Helpful information after the storm

Updates on city services

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