FEMA assistance depends on quick response to survey

By Melinda L. Lucas

Following a late afternoon meeting with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton is asking local residents and property owners affected by last month’s winter storm to make sure they have completed a FEMA survey by Sunday, March 21.

Skelton said Tuesday that there has already been fairly good response to the voluntary survey, but more evidence is needed for Shackelford County to be included with Texas counties already approved for President Biden’s Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. 

Skelton hopes that county damages can become eligible for FEMA assistance and said Tuesday evening that Gov. Abbott has requested that Shackelford County be added to the list.

“The main takeaway for me from the meeting is the Texas Disaster Impact Self-Reporting Tool is the only way TDEM will be able to indicate to FEMA that a number of individuals and businesses need assistance in Shackelford County,” said Skelton.

The judge asked that those who respond to the online survey include photos of the damage or repair.

Survey Access

The survey can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the county website at shackelfordcounty.org or going to ­­https://arcg.uOrOb, making sure to use two capital “O”s in the address, not zeros or lower case “O”s.

“Please describe the damage in detail, and include insurance information” he continued. “If at the time of the first assessment insurance coverage was not known, file a second assessment to make the insurance situation clear.”

Skelton emphasized that the deadline to report individual damages is this coming Sunday.

“Call me if you need assistance filling out the assessment,” said the judge.

 Skelton’s office number is 325-762-9405.

More Info

As of press time, more than $88.6 million in assistance has been approved for survivors in Texas.

Disaster assistance may include monetary awards to help pay for emergency home repairs for disaster-related damage to a primary residence, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, and other serious disaster-related expenses.

While not everyone affected by February’s winter storms is eligible for FEMA assistance, there may be other state and federal assistance available to them, including:

•The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is allowing SNAP recipients to use their food benefits to purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals, such as rotisserie chicken or grocery store deli foods at retailers that accept SNAP anywhere in the state, using the Lone Star Card, through the end of March. SNAP recipients can also apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to the severe weather.

•The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $20 million in low-interest loans to help Texas businesses and residents recover from the storms. 

Businesses, nonprofits and residents who sustained damage due to the storms are encouraged to apply for a loan at SBA Disaster Assistance prior to the April 21, 2021 deadline.