The declaration today by President Donald J. Trump that a major disaster exists in Texas means federal aid will supplement state and local recovery efforts in six Houston-area counties affected by Hurricane Harvey. The declaration includes hurricane-related recovery costs from Aug. 23 onward.
The president’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio and Refugio.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to the state and to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the affected counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Brock Long the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, named Kevin L. Hannes as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Daylight Time, seven days a week until further notice.