In The News

After congressman’s visit Friday, president adds Huntsville area to long list of counties that will be given FEMA funds

As Southeast Texas starts down the long road to recovery from Hurricane Harvey, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady made his way from county to county to hear from evacuees and shelter volunteers.

Brady visited the Walker County Storm Shelter on Friday afternoon. He met with the many dedicated volunteers who have been working at the shelter for more than a week, as well as a few of the remaining evacuees currently residing in the facility.

“These shelters are so important for families, especially those who don’t know what the damage is to their homes. This gives them a safe place,” Brady told The Item. “This gives them a place for housing, food and medical care as they try to figure out what that next step is. That’s why these shelters and the volunteers are so important because they make such a difference. 

“Being able to see the shelters, and also view the damage to the county, is helpful to us because I’m fighting to get the disaster declaration for Walker County. This helps me out a lot. I’m meeting with President (Donald) Trump again on Tuesday on hurricane issues and tax reform, so this helps me express to him what I saw.”

Shortly after surveying the scene in the northern portion of Walker County near the Trinity River, where Brady saw firsthand the damages to homes and flooding in the area, workers at the Walker County Emergency Operations Center got the news they were waiting on. They were told that Walker County has been approved for both public and individual assistance from FEMA. 

“Congressman Kevin Brady just called the EOC and informed us that Walker County has been approved for public assistance, as well as individual assistance,” Walker County Emergency Management Coordinator Sherri Pegoda said. “Those with flood damage to their homes can now call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and register.”

Brady was excited about the news, too. Late on Friday afternoon, the congressman released a statement concerning the response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey and the tropical storm that hung around Texas for about a week. 

“I appreciate President Donald J. Trump and Governor Greg Abbott for their quick response to this tragic flooding event that has affected so many in our district,” Brady said. “When people are flooded out of their homes, they deserve to know that help is on the way. 

“I appreciate everyone from our local first responders, county judges and emergency managers to our Texas senators and President Trump’s cabinet members, especially FEMA Director Brock Long, who have been in close contact with me and our staff. The coordination has been amazing.”

On Saturday, Brady announced more good news. The president authorized more funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures for the approved counties in the federal declaration. That means cost sharing increased from 75 to 90 percent of federal funding for debris removal, including direct federal assistance, and 100 percent federal funding for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. 

Individuals in 32 counties, including Walker, Montgomery and San Jacinto counties, in the federal disaster declaration can register with FEMA the following ways:

• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

• Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

The federal disaster designation now includes: Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Polk, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties.

During his visit to the Walker County Storm Shelter, Brady was given a tour of the facility by Butch Davis, Walker County emergency management coordinator. He saw how the shelter functioned and the various roles each of the volunteers had.

Brady had nothing but praise for emergency management workers and the volunteers for not only the work they did, but for how well they operated the shelters in Walker County.

“No one takes care of each other like Texans do, and we’re showing the country, and really the whole world, on how you come together during times like this,” Brady boasted. “Walker County had remarkable preparation because of the past hurricanes, which put this county in a different position. 

 “This was an unprecedented event, which no one can truly prepare for, and there is still a lot of work left, but Walker County is just a model on how you prepare for, respond to and handle disasters. Walker County has a lot of people to be proud of.”