Congressman Gonzalez Encourages Disaster Survivors to Take Advantage of Resources Offered by FEMA and Other Federal Agencies
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) encouraged those in Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo Counties who were affected by the flooding in June to take advantage of all of the available resources offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other U.S. federal agencies.
FEMA is offering a wide array of disaster assistance and services including grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
"There are resources available for those who have been impacted by the severe flooding and I urge residents in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties to take full advantage of them," said Congressman Gonzalez. "While the road to recovery may be long, I promise to assist our communities in any way that I can to make the rebuilding process easier."
Below are some resources available from FEMA and other U.S. federal agencies:
Members of the community can visit Lowe's or Home Depot stores to receive free hazard mitigation consultations from FEMA Mitigation Specialists. These advisors stand ready to assist in the rebuilding process by answering questions regarding home protections from future disaster damage.
FEMA Mitigation Specialists will be available at the following locations:
Open Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, August 4 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cameron County
Home Depot
605 West Morrison Rd. Brownsville, TX 78520
Hidalgo County
Lowe's Store 5700 North 10th Street McAllen, TX 78504
Cameron County
Home Depot
4710 South Expressway 83 Harlingen, TX 78552
Open Monday, August 5 through Saturday, August 10 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cameron County
Lowe's Store
525 East Ruben Torres Blvd. Brownsville, TX 78520
Hidalgo County
Home Depot
801 Trenton Rd. McAllen, TX 78504
Cameron County
Lowe's Store
4705 South Expressway 77/83 Harlingen, TX 78550
Disaster survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or may call 800- 621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800- 621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers federal low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, most nonprofits, homeowners and renters. Apply online using SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Survivors can apply in person at any disaster recovery center and receive personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative. For additional information or to find the nearest location, visit www.sba.gov/disaster, call SBA at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877- 8339. To apply by mail, send completed paper application to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
For Texas disaster mitigation information, visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation. For additional information about mitigation, visit www.fema.gov/what-mitigation. For information on protecting properties from disaster, visit www.fema.gov/protect-your- property.