Hidalgo County Judge Rene Ramirez has told residents impacted by recent flooding to register as soon as possible in order to get FEMA assistance

EDINBURG, Aug. 16 - A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center has been opened in Edinburg for Hidalgo County residents affected by Hurricane Alex and subsequent flooding.

The Center, which opened Monday, is located at the Hidalgo County Courthouse Annex, (the Old Administration Building), 100 E. Cano, 2nd Floor, Edinburg. The Center will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm until further notice.

Hidalgo County Judge Rene Ramirez said bilingual representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies will be available at the center to answer questions and provide disaster loan information to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.

Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

“The opening of the Disaster Recovery Center in Edinburg will assist residents in accessing information to assist in their individual recovery efforts,” Ramirez said. “We encourage those affected to register by phone or in person as soon as possible to get the assistance they need. Federal assistance and other resources are available to help residents rebuild, recover and recapture their lives after this disaster.”

Ramirez said Hidalgo County residents are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), online at www.disasterassistance.gov or at a DRC to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.

Disaster Recovery Centers have also been opened in Rio Grande City and Laredo, with a mobile unit set up in Jim Hogg County. This comes as result of President Obama declaring Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb and Zapata counties a disaster area due to the strong rain brought upon last month by Hurricane Alex and other atmospheric conditions.

“Knowing the extensive damages that many residents faced during the flood, it was important for us to roll up our sleeves and ensure that FEMA set up offices here in the shortest time possible,” said U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who called on Obama to declare disaster status for a number of South Texas counties.

“Many times, a person feels more comfortable meeting with someone face to face rather than communicating with someone on the telephone or with a recording. I encourage all the residents affected by the floods to take advantage and meet with federal and state agency representatives. Now is the time to have all your questions answered.”

Under the terms of the Major Disaster Declaration issued by Obama, money is available for housing needs, clothing, household items, disaster damaged vehicles, clean up items, moving and storage expenses, crisis counseling and legal services. The maximum amount that can be issued to an individual is $29,000 though most receive between $4,000 and $7,000.

FEMA assistance is supplemental and cannot duplicate private reimbursement. Secondary homes are not eligible for aid.

Eligible losses can include structural parts of the home, such as the foundation, outside walls and roof, windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings and cabinetry, a septic or sewage system, a well or other water system, heating, ventilating or AC system, utilities, the entrance to and exit from a home, blocking, leveling or anchoring of mobile homes and reconnecting or resetting a mobile home’s sewer, water, electric or fuel lines and tanks.

Various documents are often required in order to get FEMA assistance. FEMA will ask for a social security number, a description of the losses incurred, insurance information, directions to damaged property, a telephone number where the applicant can be contacted, photographs, and a copy of the deed to a property or, in the case of a mobile home, a statement of location.

In addition to the FEMA center, Hidalgo County has its own Disaster Recovery Hotline to help residents affected by the flood access a wide variety of recovery resources. The bilingual hotline – 1-800-613-5277 - is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be open for at least another couple of weeks.

Ramirez said the main purpose of the County hotline to refer flood-affected residents to charitable organizations that can assist with whatever needs they have and field questions about the FEMA individual assistance application process.

“Our goal is to be a resource for residents who don’t feel comfortable turning anywhere else or they want to talk to people familiar with recovery resources. This is a complimentary service to those already out there – a one-stop shop for all types of disaster recovery questions,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said he is pleased the County is working with local non-profits and faith-based organizations to fill remaining gaps in service in the community. The County is working with the American Red Cross, Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery/Catholic Charities, Latter Day Saints Charities, Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Convention/Texas Baptist Men, McAllen Affordable Homes, and Proyecto Azteca.

“We are grateful for the assistance our federal partners are providing and appreciate the invaluable service our local non-profits provide,” Ramirez said. “The County has chosen to be proactive by working hand-in-hand with these allies to help facilitate the smooth distribution of their goods and services to the residents in the most need.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Reps. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, and Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, have announced a $2.3 million FEMA grant for the City of Harlingen to improve the drainage system around the downtown area. The area is prone to frequent flooding during heavy rainfall. The grant was awarded specifically for damage incurred in the area due to Hurricane Dolly in 2008.

“This grant from FEMA will give the City of Harlingen the resources to complete a much needed drainage project that will save millions of dollars in federal, state and local funds throughout the years to come. This drainage project will go a long way in protecting businesses and homes in Harlingen from flooding whether it is due to heavy rainfall or a full force Hurricane. We remain committed to helping and protecting our communities in every way that we can,” Ortiz and Hinojosa said, in a joint statement.

Ortiz said the City of Harlingen will improve the existing channel to lower the water surface elevation along the channel of the Peter Piper Drainage System which begins by the Peter Piper Pizza business facility and runs east from the downtown area.

FEMA will award the City of Harlingen $1,725,000.00 with the remaining $575,000 paid by state and local funds, said Harlingen Interim City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez.

“We are ready to go as soon as we receive this funding. It will be a continuation of the drainage project we already began in our downtown area and once it is completed, we will see less flooding a lot more savings in damage costs,” Gonzalez said.

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