Newsroom

Firday October 18, 2019

County Judge Lina Hidalgo today announced the FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to assist TropicalStorm Imelda survivors. At the DRC, residents will be able to apply in person for individual assistancethrough FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP), which provides financial help and/or directservices to survivors, including assistance with housing or other disaster-related needs. At the DRC,survivors can also inquire about additional non-federal services that may be available as well

Survivors are not required to visit a DRC in person to apply for FEMA assistance. However, shouldthey need in person assistance, residents can visit the Harris County Social Services Building, 9418Jensen Drive, Houston, TX 77093. Normal operating hours will be from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday toMonday, 7 days a week

“Today’s recovery center opening is one more way we are working with the federal government to ensuresurvivors get the help they need as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” said Judge Hidalgo. “Therecovery process can be overwhelming and daunting, especially after surviving a catastrophic event suchas Imelda. Having a place you can visit and talk with a live person can make all the difference.”

Estimates from both the City of Houston and Harris County indicate at least 2600 homes across HarrisCounty flooded during Imelda. For information on how to apply for federal assistance through the FEMAIHP program and other resources for Imelda recovery, residents can visit readyharris.org or dial 2-1-1.Other resources continue to be available as well, including help offered by local non-profit agencies.Additional DRCs will be opening in the coming days and residents should continue to checkReadyHarris.org for the latest recovery resources available. 

Last month, Judge Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner established the Imelda Assistance Fund,another resource that will be made available to provide aid to those affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.Fund grants and services will be disbursed via non-profit organizations experienced in disaster recovery.Residents seeking to donate financial resources can donate by visiting ReadyHarris.org

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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is the head of Harris County’s governing body and Director of theHarris County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Judge Hidalgo, alongsidefour County Precinct Commissioners, oversees a budget of approximately $5 billion that funds servicesand institutions for the third-largest county in the nation, home to nearly 5 million people. For moreinformation about Harris County and the Office of the County Judge, please visit: cjo.harriscountytx.gov