Additional Counties Added to Federal Disaster Request
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The non-profit Texas Disaster Relief Fund has made additional funding available to provide emergency hotel vouchers for up to seven days for individuals and families who have been displaced by a wildfire in Grimes Montgomery and Waller counties.
Over the weekend the state requested that the recently approved federal Major Disaster Declaration be expanded to provide individual and public assistance for additional counties including Montgomery Grimes and Waller as well as statewide hazard mitigation for counties that have been affected by wildfires since August 30.
Texans know how to help their neighbors in times of need and thanks to generous donations to the Texas Disaster Relief Fund victims of this wildfire can apply for emergency hotel vouchers to help move out of temporary shelters" Gov. Perry said. As communities continue to respond and begin to rebuild we will continue to work get all the necessary resources to assist those who have lost so much during this relentless wildfire season."
Volunteers from Brazos County Community Action Agency Inc. are scheduled to be in Grimes Montgomery and Waller counties on Tuesday to take applications for hotel vouchers. These vouchers will allow those who have been displaced to move from makeshift shelters into motels until the recently approved Major Disaster Declaration is extended and FEMA provides long-term temporary housing. Brazos Valley Community Action will also provide flexible assistance cards using federal funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to cover essential expenses for individuals and families who meet certain federal income requirements.
The Texas Disaster Relief Fund is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to compliment not duplicate existing relief resources provided by FEMA and other insurance and non-profit organizations. The fund gives Texans the opportunity to donate money that will go directly to Texas communities whose resources have been strained by disasters. Gov. Perry established the fund in September 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita to help individuals and businesses get back on their feet.
To view the states letters requesting additional federal assistance please visit
http://governor.state.tx.us/files/press-office/Letters_Requesting_Additional_Counties.pdf.
To donate to the Texas Disaster Relief Fund please call 1-866-463-7982 or visit
www.texasdisasterrelieffund.org. Individuals or organizations that are interested in volunteering in areas impacted by wildfires can visit
www.volunteertx.org for more information.
For more information on preparing for wildfire threats please visit
http://governor.state.tx.us/wildfires.
