Contact: Patrick Trahan 713-578-2215
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

The Harris County Community Services Department Launches a Campaign to get Assistance to More Residents affected by the Winter Storm as the FEMA Deadline Approaches

Harris County Community Services Department (CSD) plans to deploy staff into the community in the effort to get more help to county residents that suffered damage due to the winter storm that ravaged much of Texas. Canvassers will use safe, “no contact” techniques to get messages to residents.

The Winter Storm plunged much of Texas, including Harris County, into sub-freezing temperatures from Feb. 11-17, 2021, resulting in prolonged power outages, busted pipes and major repairs for many Harris County homeowners and apartment property owners. Across Texas, storm damage estimates ranging from $10 billion to $20 billion prompted President Joe Biden to approve a major disaster declaration that unlocks FEMA and other resources for Texas counties impacted by the storm.

However, due to a lack of technological resources such as a computer or wireless connectivity, reduced person-to-person communication brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic or lack of English language proficiency, many residents, still, are not aware how to get help.

CSD Executive Director Dr. Adrienne Holloway said, “We must go deeper in terms of assessing the damage to ensure we are maximizing the impact of every available dollar for relief. As we speak with our neighbors, we believe a truer picture of the damage and the need will emerge.”

A targeted group of zip codes has been identified for the effort. They include 77562, 77547, 77032, 77029, 77044, 77015, 77532, 77049, 77338, 77037, 77086, 77038, 77068, 77014, 77090, 77060, 77088, 77039, 77050, 77093 and 77521. However, assistance is available to anyone who applies and meets eligibility requirements.

If you or someone you know needs help with home damage or other concerns due to the winter storm, you can call FEMA at 1-800-621-2262. The current deadline for application for FEMA assistance is April 20.

Learn more by visiting the CSD Project Recovery website at harrisrecovery.org.

Harris County Commissioners approved nearly $33,000 for increased communications to residents and about $54,000 to conduct a resiliency assessment of communities in those high impact areas. The additional assessments will be combined with those already completed to quantify the cost of damage from the Winter Storm.

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