FCO Brad Harris: Our Mission is to Support Texans (Sept. 3, 2009)
Federal Coordinating Officer
Brad Harris
It has been a year since Hurricane Ike's catastrophic assault on Texas' upper Gulf Coast. This has been a long and difficult year for many Texans affected by the storm. However, significant progress has been achieved in the rebuilding efforts, due in large part to the hard work and perseverance of countless Texans as well as volunteers from many parts of the country. Full recovery from a disaster the size of Ike doesn't come quickly, or easily, but we are pleased to see the scores of Southeast Texas communities that are rebounding from the worst effects of this one.
Since day one, FEMA's mission in Texas has been to provide supplemental funding and support for the state, for communities and for individual citizens. Working together with our state and local partners we have sought to find common-sense solutions to speed the pace of recovery for everyone.
Federal assistance for Hurricane Ike response and recovery has already topped $2.5 billion. That's more than $7 million per day, every day, since the storm's landfall, and we expect the total to increase in the coming months as we continue to work with our partners on requests for additional grants and other assistance.
The $2.5 billion total includes more than $530 million in direct assistance to individuals and families, more than $637 million in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans, and nearly $1.4 billion in funding for repairs to public infrastructure, debris cleanup and protective measures. In other words, it is money that goes directly to help the state and its citizens recover from this disaster.
In addition, we have set aside about $355 million in Texas for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and we are pleased to see the state supports projects to move families from harm's way by permanently removing scores of homes from flood-prone areas, and to make other structures better able to withstand future storms and floods.
The federal assistance disbursed so far has contributed to the renewal and revitalization we are seeing in Ike-affected communities. With a portion of these funds, more than 121,000 Texas households have received grants to repair their homes or get other storm-related needs met. Mountains of debris that once clogged highways, roads and vital waterways are now gone as the state and local communities near completion on their cleanup operations. Businesses, fire and police stations, schools and universities, city halls, museums, parks, sports venues, and other facilities that make communities whole are reopening or rebuilding.
Well over a third of the 3,647 mobile homes FEMA and the state provided for temporary housing have been vacated as families return to their repaired homes or relocate to other long-term housing. Meanwhile, nearly 10,800 Texas families have received assistance with housing through the Disaster Housing Assistance Program for Hurricane Ike (DHAP-Ike).
We understand that some Texans are still struggling to rebuild their homes and put their lives back on track after this disaster, and we want to assure them that help is available.
Fifteen of the hardest-hit counties, including Galveston, Chambers, Jefferson, Orange and Harris, have created long-term recovery committees (LTRCs) to address the ongoing needs of Ike's survivors. These groups combine and coordinate the resources of area volunteer, social service and faith-based organizations to best serve those Texans who still require assistance. Working through the LTRCs, thousands of volunteers are helping their neighbors rebuild homes, replace destroyed clothing and household items, get bills paid, travel to and from appointments, and much more.
Additionally, the state's Disaster Case Management program, created with a $58.2 million FEMA grant, is connecting Ike survivors with essential resources to get their needs met. Under the program, professional case managers from three nonprofit organizations are helping to connect disaster survivors with housing resources as well as social, employment, legal, medical and other services.
Crisis counseling also is available for those suffering emotional trauma as a result of the disaster. With $8.5 million in FEMA grants, the state developed the Texas P.R.I.D.E. Crisis Counseling Program, which is providing professional counseling free of charge through five Southeast Texas mental health centers. These professionals also can connect survivors with resources to help get their physical needs met.
Also, although the registration period has ended for FEMA Individual Assistance grants, our specialists continue to process claims for home repairs and other needs to augment the more than half a billion dollars that already have been disbursed to Texas households.
One of the hardest lessons from Hurricane Ike is that it is impossible to prepare for such events at the last minute. Essential documents and emergency supplies cannot be gathered at a moment's notice. Roofs cannot be secured and homes cannot be moved out of harm's way or raised above flood level overnight. Moreover, getting to safety when floodwaters are pouring in is a gamble at best.
Texas is in the height of hurricane season, and we strongly urge citizens to prepare now. Response to emergencies is a team effort, and the public is the most important member of the national emergency response team. With advance planning, preparation and mitigation efforts aimed at building stronger, safer communities, I feel confident we can avoid disasters like Ike in the future.
Each disaster is unique, bringing with it unique challenges that must be met. The flexibility and creativity our partners have demonstrated since Ike struck the Gulf Coast have helped all of us respond to the challenges and find ways to expedite assistance when at all possible. We look forward to continuing to work together as the recovery process continues in Southeast Texas.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 15-Sep-2009 16:48:28 EDT