Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response
e-Buzz
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15 October 2007 |
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49 Counties
Are Declared
Texas Continues to be Number One Nationally - in Disaster
Texas is in significant recovery from
two disasters. The first is designated Disaster
1709 and 43 counties have been declared. The
second is Disaster 1730, storm damage and flooding
from Tropical Depression Erin, and 6 counties (Bexar,
Harris, Jones, Kendall, Medina, and Taylor) were
declared. There are a total of 49 counties
in Texas that are dealing with assisting families
in recovering from the devastation of these storms. There
are several more counties that are being considered
for declaration related to Hurricane Humberto.
More than 13,000 applications for assistance have
been made to FEMA.
In many cases
the degree of destruction remains un-noticed by
many Texans. However it is time for all Texans
to come together and assist our brothers and sisters
who are taking each day as it comes to find a way
to recover. For some families not only were
their homes damaged but also their businesses. For
some their homes were total losses, for others
the repair is simple in comparison.
The impact of
disaster on families involves the physical repair
of home or business, sometimes healing from physical
injuries that occurred, and most certainly the
healing from emotional upheaval. Sometimes
the last is the most significant and long lasting.
If you would
like to help, please contact TIDR for information
about services that you or your congregation or
organization can offer. As always, a significant
barrier is funds to address the unmet needs of
families in recovery. When insurance and
funding from FEMA do not cover the costs of repair,
such as replacing flooring or a roof or even rebuilding,
this is where we as good neighbors have an opportunity
to give money to assist. If you do not have
a community contact, TIDR will be happy to assist
you in getting your funds to those who have suffered. You
can make donations to TIDR and simply mark the
memo line as "Texas Floods."
For hearts as
big as Texas, thank you!
Amy Elder
Executive Director
TIDR
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Disaster
Teams Canvass Texas Counties Affected by Tropical
Storm Erin
Release date: October 10, 2007 Release Number: 1730-005
WACO, Texas -- Community Relations (CR) teams made
up of representatives from the Governor's Division
of Emergency Management (GDEM) and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) are busy reaching out to
Texans affected by Tropical Storm Erin, August 14-20.
CR teams are going door-to-door, canvassing neighborhoods
and spreading the word that disaster aid is available
to residents of Bexar, Harris, Jones, Kendall, Medina
and Taylor Counties. They deliver vital disaster
recovery information to storm victims as well as
coordinate with county emergency managers and other
local officials.
CR officers are the communication lifelines for valuable
disaster recovery information for residents, local
governments, businesses, religious organizations
and volunteer agencies and they provide valuable
information on the location of the nearest Disaster
Recovery Center (DRC).
Residents and business owners with Tropical Storm
Erin related damages and losses are encouraged to
register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY 1-800-462-7585) for the speech- and hearing-impaired. Toll-free
registration lines are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local
time, seven days a week. Residents and business owners
may register online at www.fema.gov. The registration deadline is December 3, 2007.
GDEM and FEMA also work closely with community-based
organizations, community leaders and public officials
to assist Texas in recovery efforts.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in
preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects
of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic
disasters, whether natural or man-made, including
acts of terror.
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Financial
Workshops Offered by Catholic Charities
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Attached are two flyers announcing upcoming financial
literacy workshops offered by Catholic Charities. Please
forward this information to any organizations and
individuals who may be interested in attending.
The workshops are free and participants are eligible
for a free drawing for gift cards at the conclusion
of each individual class.
In Austin,
the four-week session will be held at Catholic Charities
main office, 1817, E. 6th Street, Austin from 7 to
8:30 PM on the following four dates: October
17, October 24, November 7 and November 14.
In Round Rock, the four-week session
will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church,
3201 Sunrise, Round Rock, TX from 7 to 8:30 pm on
the following four dates: October
15, October 22, October 29, and November 12.
Participants can sign up anytime during the four-week
sessions.
For more information, please contact Steve
Stokes, Program Coordinator, at 512.388.3056. Thank
you for helping us spread the word!
Sincerely,
Cynthia Colbert
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of Central Texas
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