San Marcos Daily Record - Working to Ensure Prompt Federal Aid

Op-Ed

By Lloyd Doggett

U.S. Representative Emergency preparedness and quick action by the City of San Marcos, local first responders, and good Samaritans saved lives last weekend. Courageous responders were working until the last possible minute to ensure those in danger were evacuated safely. Due to their commitment, the impact we see now in San Marcos is primarily material, though we have a long road of recovery ahead.
Meeting this week with Mayor Daniel Guerrero, City Manager Jared Miller, Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Constable David Peterson, Superintendent Mark Eads, and other dedicated public servants, I learned firsthand about the devastation and flood recovery. As I was a partner previously in the federal responses to the Bastrop fires and Onion Creek flooding, I am seeking a prompt, comprehensive response to this disaster.

Flooding impacted homes in Blanco Gardens and elsewhere along the river, Fire Station #5, a wing of the new Bonham Pre-K Center that Libby and I recently dedicated, and damaged businesses like Grande and Grifols as well as the new EPIC Piping facility, which may delay an expected 500 new jobs.

As your Congressmember, I will be seeking every available federal resource to help our community recover. After his initial proclamation for state involvement, Governor Abbott late Friday requested federal assistance. President Obama immediately granted the request, issuing a Major Disaster Declaration for parts of Texas which includes Hays and other impacted counties. Hays County has been granted both Public and Individual Assistance which means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will have teams on the ground to measure the amount and type of damage that occurred to public and private property and ways to mitigate reoccurrence of such damage. Given the damage in Spring River Estates and River Bend Subdivision in Martindale, which saw much damage in the same area just two years ago in the Halloween floods, Caldwell County is also expected to make a request for assistance.

FEMA disaster assistance falls into three categories: individual assistance for aid to individuals and households, public assistance for certain emergency services and repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, and hazard mitigation for reducing future losses to public and private property. For families, individual assistance can provide money and services in the declared area whose property has been damaged and whose losses are underinsured or not covered by insurance. If an eventual declaration is announced covering your neighborhood, aid applications can be registered atwww.disasterassistance.gov for up to $32,900 for qualified necessary expenses and serious needs not satisfied through other means. An application must be approved by FEMA. Examples of potential assistance include housing repairs, temporary housing, transportation, medical, moving, and storage. Additionally, the Small Business Administration offers low interest loans for qualified homeowners and businesses that sustained damages not covered by insurance. Further, the Disaster Unemployment Assistance offers some unemployment and re-employment services to eligible individuals.

The local outpouring of support from the community, AmeriCorps volunteers, faith-based groups, the Red Cross, and many individuals who came to Hays this weekend has been significant. But further individual and public federal assistance through FEMA is needed to address the full scope of this historic flooding.
Only days ago San Marcos was once again recognized as the fastest growing city in America. While creating a temporary barrier to progress, this catastrophe will be overcome. I salute Mayor Guerrero and all those who have provided important leadership during this challenging time.

I believe federal help really is on the way. I have already requested FEMA to open a local Disaster Recovery Center to provide in person answers and assistance as was done effectively in Bastrop after the fires. But even then there will be some unique problems on which I will be ready to respond. If you have questions regarding these developments, contact my local office or email me atLloyd.Doggett@mail.house.gov I will continue posting important updates at facebook.com/lloyddoggett and Twitter at @RepLloydDoggett.

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