Congressman Gonzalez Visits FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Three in McAllen, Texas
MCALLEN, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Three in McAllen, Texas, to view the facility and urge Hidalgo County residents to seek out available assistance, following historic severe storms and flooding.
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in McAllen, Texas.
"This is what America is about – lending a helping hand in times of need," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Thank you to the first responders, emergency management personnel, and local and state officials that worked together to assess damages and report them to the State of Texas. I encourage every affected resident and business owner to seek out one-on-one assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center in the Rio Grande Valley. The professionals at these centers can help you to recover your property, and so much more."
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) urges Hidalgo County homeowners, renters, and business owners to seek out available assistance FEMA and SBA at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in McAllen, Texas.
On Friday, July 6, 2018, President Donald J. Trump announced a Federal Disaster Declaration, DR-4377-FEMA, for Hidalgo County after multiple requests from Congressman Gonzalez and Governor Greg Abbott.
The congressman is encouraging Hidalgo County affected residents to apply for available Individual Assistance (IA). Hidalgo County homeowners, renters, and business owners can visit designated FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) for one-on-one assistance. After the congressman's outreach to FEMA Administrator William B. Long, it has been confirmed that both English and Spanish speaking FEMA representatives will be on-hand.
If possible, register for FEMA assistance by phone or online before visiting a center. Going to a DRC is not a requirement of registration, but specialists there can provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence received from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.
The DRC locations and hours of operation are:
DRC 1
Hidalgo County
City of Weslaco Economic Development Center
275 South Kansas Ave
Weslaco, TX 78596
Open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT, seven days a week.
DRC 2
Hidalgo County
City of Mission Social Event Center
155 South Mayberry Road
Mission, TX 78572
Open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT, seven days a week.
DRC 3
Hidalgo County
McAllen Chamber of Commerce: Old Church Winery
700 North Main Street
McAllen, Texas
Open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT, seven days a week.
You can check to see if you are eligible for disaster assistance from other Federal, state, and voluntary organizations by visiting https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/find-assistance. This tool can help you identify available resources in your community.
Visit www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362 to assess your needs and to find out what federal assistance may be available to you. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
The congressman will continue to fight in Washington and call on President Trump and FEMA Administrator Long to keep doing everything in their power to get the gears of South Texas moving once more.