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Recovery Help
From Staff Reports
School Closings: Conroe ISD (thru Friday); Montgomery ISD (thru FRI), Lone Star College (closed until Monday, 9/22/08), Willis ISD (thru Wednesday), Splendora ISD (thru Friday), Magnolia ISD (thru Friday & Staff report on Thurs. if possible), New Caney ISD (thru Friday)Cleveland ISD (thru Friday)Check the following web page for complete school closures in the region.http://www.esc6.net/info/emergency/
We compiled a list of important hurricane-related websites that may be of use to you:
Finding Help in Texas: www.211texas.org. The state’s information and referral system can help you find free information on key services in your area. You can also access this system by dialing 211 on your phone.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission: www.hhsc.state.tx.us. This site has information about how to use your Lone Star Card and access your Medicaid benefits.
Office of the Governor Hurricane site: www.governor.state.tx.us/hurricane.
The City of Houston – Hurricane Ike Information www.houstontx.gov.
The waiver for Emergency Food Stamp Assistance was approved last night.
Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another state: Call 1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 211network to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits.
Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another area of Texas: Call 211 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or other assistance.
Disaster Unemployment Insurance:
Because the President declared 29 counties a disaster area, displaced workers in those counties could be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. To claim this protection, a worker must file by October 15. Please bring this deadline to people’s attention. To file for disaster-related unemployment assistance, log on to www.texasworkforce.org or call TWC from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, at (800) 939-6631.
Emergency Food Stamp Benefits
Texans who live in the affected counties will also be eligible for a two-month emergency Food Stamp benefit. All they will need to show is proof of identity and residence to qualify. The details of how and where people should apply for this benefit are still being worked out. We will send out more details about getting Food Stamps later today or early tomorrow.
KEEP ALL RECIEPTS, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE.
FEMA will pay for the lodging directly to hotels and motels for eligible evacuees. A listing of participating hotels is available online at www.FEMAEvacHotels.com Assistance period is from Sept. 14, 2008. Applicants responsible for meals and lodging above authorized allowances. For non-participating hotels, hold your receipts and FEMA will assist. To ensure reimbursement, first apply for FEMA assistance through www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA. TTY is 1-800-462-7585
Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.) Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters. Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as FEMA info, Cont’d Required:
How to Apply for Assistance: Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses. Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies. 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.
Lone Star Legal Aid for free legal assistance to low income families – call 800-733-8394
There are no shelters operating in Montgomery County. The closest shelter is in Huntsville is full. Houston has several FEMA will reimburse people who stay in a hotel as a shelter due to structural damage ONLY – not because there was no electricity. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS to get reimbursements. According to www.tacvbemergency.net all Montgomery County hotels are full. College Station has very few hotels available.
All three Park and Ride locations in The Woodlands will resume regular business hours beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Trolleys in the Town Center area are scheduled to run on Monday.
FUEL LOCATIONSEast CountyValero Station at 1314 and 494 CASH ONLY (as of 1458) Exxon 12,000 gals at 1314 and 59 (NO DIESEL) Flying J at 59 and 242 (as of 0616 on 09/16)WillisChevron 1000 W. Montgomery and I-45 (Cash only ) 3,000 gals of Reg 3,800 prem, and 3,200 dieselSouth CountyExxon @ Pinecroft will open at 7:00amMurphy @ 242 I-45 WalMart will open @ 6:00amTexaco @ I45 & Pruitt RdShell @ Gosling & Research (09/17 at 0900)Shell I45 S @ Lake Front Circle Open NOW 10:28 PM 9/15/08Chevron 242/ 45 (09/17 at 0900)Walmart 242/45 (09/17 at 0900)Shell NW Corner of Sawdust and 45 (09/17 at 0900)Valero 45 and 1488 (09/17 at 0900)Kroger at 2978/ 1488 (09/17 at 0900)Racetrack at 2920 (09/17 at 0900)Shamrock at 105 and ¼ mile east of FM 1485 (as of 09/17 1058)ConroeShop-n-go Bouman and Frazier (HAVE NOW! 1100) South Conroe, Conroe Welding on old 75Chevron @ I-45 & League Line rd.Exxon 3083 & I-45 Chevron 105 & Loop 336 Chevron I-45 & FM 1097; Kroger’s at loop 336W and 105 (0640 09/16/08)Exxon at 105 and 45. Make a U-turn at Wilson Rd or 336 to get in.
Magnolia/ Tomball Shell @ FM 1488 & Lake WindcrestChevron @ Fm 1488 & Lake WindcrestShell @ Fm 1488 & FM 2978 intersectionExxon at FM 149 and Herring (as of 1622 09/15) Krogers @ 2978 & 1488 is pumping gas007 off of 1774 used for only emergency vehicles as of 9/15. Gas and DieselShell station Diesel only at 1774 (Next to Fire Station 181)Circle S Grocery 30000 block Dobbin/ Huffsmith, (Diesel only on 09/16)Shell Food Mart at FM 1774 and Hazy Hollow Fuel and some food (as of 1132 on 09/16)Food Plaza 149 and 249 OPEN (as of 1535 of 9/16) Many fuel locations are now opened in the surrounding area.
Montgomery County: 11:00 pm to 6:00 am
The City of Shenandoah has a mandatory curfew of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The Community Associations of The Woodlands STRONGLY encourages residents not to drive after dark due to inoperative streetlights, blind intersections, and dangerous conditions. Please be careful when approaching all intersections
The Montgomery County Animal Shelter, located at 8535 Texas 242, is in need of dog food and cat litter. Items can be dropped off inside the shelter from 8 a.m. to noon or placed by the front door in a plastic bag during off hours.
Residents are asked to volunteer as animal foster parents until power is restored.
Montgomery County’s First Responders need to be fed: The people we count on to get us through these difficult times – EMS, law enforcement and fire - are in need of quick food and drink items they can grab and eat on the run. Meals are also appreciated.
Men with Chain Saws and tractors: Many homes need clean up. Individuals and groups are invited to email Heddy Orozco at heddy@mcuw.org or call her at 936.648.6255 to discuss projects. Please leave a message, as cell phone service is still irregular.
Men with Trucks: The Montgomery County Food Bank needs trucks with drivers to make food deliveries to the Food Pantries noted in this update. Deliveries are made daily. Please call the Montgomery County Food Bank at 936.539.6686.
Volunteers to deliver food to homebound: There are a number of elderly and disabled who are unable to get to food and water. Please call Vicky Shelledy at 936.499.4089 and leave a message, as cell phone service is still irregular.
Volunteers Needed at Food Banks: Help needed boxing, sorting and distributing. Please see addresses above in the Food Pantry section. Arrive ahead of the pantry opening hours to help them set up.
To add information, please email Carla Clark, Director of Marketing, Montgomery County United Way at carla@mcuw.org
We compiled a list of important hurricane-related websites that may be of use to you:
Finding Help in Texas: www.211texas.org. The state’s information and referral system can help you find free information on key services in your area. You can also access this system by dialing 211 on your phone.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission: www.hhsc.state.tx.us. This site has information about how to use your Lone Star Card and access your Medicaid benefits.
Office of the Governor Hurricane site: www.governor.state.tx.us/hurricane.
The City of Houston – Hurricane Ike Information www.houstontx.gov.
The waiver for Emergency Food Stamp Assistance was approved last night.
Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another state: Call 1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 211network to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits.
Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another area of Texas: Call 211 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or other assistance.
Disaster Unemployment Insurance:
Because the President declared 29 counties a disaster area, displaced workers in those counties could be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. To claim this protection, a worker must file by October 15. Please bring this deadline to people’s attention. To file for disaster-related unemployment assistance, log on to www.texasworkforce.org or call TWC from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, at (800) 939-6631.
Emergency Food Stamp Benefits
Texans who live in the affected counties will also be eligible for a two-month emergency Food Stamp benefit. All they will need to show is proof of identity and residence to qualify. The details of how and where people should apply for this benefit are still being worked out. We will send out more details about getting Food Stamps later today or early tomorrow.
KEEP ALL RECIEPTS, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE.
FEMA will pay for the lodging directly to hotels and motels for eligible evacuees. A listing of participating hotels is available online at www.FEMAEvacHotels.com Assistance period is from Sept. 14, 2008. Applicants responsible for meals and lodging above authorized allowances. For non-participating hotels, hold your receipts and FEMA will assist. To ensure reimbursement, first apply for FEMA assistance through www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA. TTY is 1-800-462-7585
Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.) Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters. Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as FEMA info, Cont’d Required:
How to Apply for Assistance: Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses. Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies. 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.
Lone Star Legal Aid for free legal assistance to low income families – call 800-733-8394
There are no shelters operating in Montgomery County. The closest shelter is in Huntsville is full. Houston has several FEMA will reimburse people who stay in a hotel as a shelter due to structural damage ONLY – not because there was no electricity. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS to get reimbursements. According to www.tacvbemergency.net all Montgomery County hotels are full. College Station has very few hotels available.
All three Park and Ride locations in The Woodlands will resume regular business hours beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Trolleys in the Town Center area are scheduled to run on Monday.
FUEL LOCATIONSEast CountyValero Station at 1314 and 494 CASH ONLY (as of 1458) Exxon 12,000 gals at 1314 and 59 (NO DIESEL) Flying J at 59 and 242 (as of 0616 on 09/16)WillisChevron 1000 W. Montgomery and I-45 (Cash only ) 3,000 gals of Reg 3,800 prem, and 3,200 dieselSouth CountyExxon @ Pinecroft will open at 7:00amMurphy @ 242 I-45 WalMart will open @ 6:00amTexaco @ I45 & Pruitt RdShell @ Gosling & Research (09/17 at 0900)Shell I45 S @ Lake Front Circle Open NOW 10:28 PM 9/15/08Chevron 242/ 45 (09/17 at 0900)Walmart 242/45 (09/17 at 0900)Shell NW Corner of Sawdust and 45 (09/17 at 0900)Valero 45 and 1488 (09/17 at 0900)Kroger at 2978/ 1488 (09/17 at 0900)Racetrack at 2920 (09/17 at 0900)Shamrock at 105 and ¼ mile east of FM 1485 (as of 09/17 1058)ConroeShop-n-go Bouman and Frazier (HAVE NOW! 1100) South Conroe, Conroe Welding on old 75Chevron @ I-45 & League Line rd.Exxon 3083 & I-45 Chevron 105 & Loop 336 Chevron I-45 & FM 1097; Kroger’s at loop 336W and 105 (0640 09/16/08)Exxon at 105 and 45. Make a U-turn at Wilson Rd or 336 to get in.
Magnolia/ Tomball Shell @ FM 1488 & Lake WindcrestChevron @ Fm 1488 & Lake WindcrestShell @ Fm 1488 & FM 2978 intersectionExxon at FM 149 and Herring (as of 1622 09/15) Krogers @ 2978 & 1488 is pumping gas007 off of 1774 used for only emergency vehicles as of 9/15. Gas and DieselShell station Diesel only at 1774 (Next to Fire Station 181)Circle S Grocery 30000 block Dobbin/ Huffsmith, (Diesel only on 09/16)Shell Food Mart at FM 1774 and Hazy Hollow Fuel and some food (as of 1132 on 09/16)Food Plaza 149 and 249 OPEN (as of 1535 of 9/16) Many fuel locations are now opened in the surrounding area.
Montgomery County: 11:00 pm to 6:00 am
The City of Shenandoah has a mandatory curfew of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The Community Associations of The Woodlands STRONGLY encourages residents not to drive after dark due to inoperative streetlights, blind intersections, and dangerous conditions. Please be careful when approaching all intersections
The Montgomery County Animal Shelter, located at 8535 Texas 242, is in need of dog food and cat litter. Items can be dropped off inside the shelter from 8 a.m. to noon or placed by the front door in a plastic bag during off hours.
Residents are asked to volunteer as animal foster parents until power is restored.
Montgomery County’s First Responders need to be fed: The people we count on to get us through these difficult times – EMS, law enforcement and fire - are in need of quick food and drink items they can grab and eat on the run. Meals are also appreciated.
Men with Chain Saws and tractors: Many homes need clean up. Individuals and groups are invited to email Heddy Orozco at heddy@mcuw.org or call her at 936.648.6255 to discuss projects. Please leave a message, as cell phone service is still irregular.
Men with Trucks: The Montgomery County Food Bank needs trucks with drivers to make food deliveries to the Food Pantries noted in this update. Deliveries are made daily. Please call the Montgomery County Food Bank at 936.539.6686.
Volunteers to deliver food to homebound: There are a number of elderly and disabled who are unable to get to food and water. Please call Vicky Shelledy at 936.499.4089 and leave a message, as cell phone service is still irregular.
Volunteers Needed at Food Banks: Help needed boxing, sorting and distributing. Please see addresses above in the Food Pantry section. Arrive ahead of the pantry opening hours to help them set up.
To add information, please email Carla Clark, Director of Marketing, Montgomery County United Way at carla@mcuw.org
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