AUSTIN - The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today alerted Texans impacted by both Hurricane Beryl and the derecho & severe weather that took place in the spring that FEMA is requiring them to submit a new application for disaster assistance in order to qualify for continued federal disaster assistance under the new incident.
“TDEM continues to work around the clock to ensure Texans impacted by recent severe weather and Hurricane Beryl receive all disaster assistance available,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Qualifying Texans are urged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance for the Hurricane Beryl incident if they sustained impacts from that disaster.”
Texans impacted by the severe weather, derecho, and flooding that transpired from April 26- June 5 who are currently in hotels through the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program will begin receiving notifications tomorrow from FEMA that their temporary federal assistance is coming to an end.
Texans impacted by Hurricane Beryl will have to apply for FEMA assistance for Disaster Number 4798, regardless of whether they applied for or received disaster assistance for the severe weather incident (Disaster Number 4781).
The State of Texas has requested temporary sheltering assistance from FEMA for Hurricane Beryl but that request is still pending.
Texans who apply for disaster assistance from Hurricane Beryl and indicate they have been displaced will receive a message (or notice) from FEMA prompting them to select a hotel if FEMA approves Transitional Sheltering Assistance for Hurricane Beryl survivors.
Texans can apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
On Thursday July 11th, TDEM requested that FEMA streamline registration for survivor assistance by permitting the applicants from last month’s ongoing disaster (DR-4781) roll their FEMA registrations to this current disaster, noting “this would avoid requiring those still suffering from no power, extreme heat and ongoing clean up from having to duplicate the same process they just completed last month. It would save man-hours, reduce the burden on local, state, and federal resources and allow citizens to recover faster.” However, FEMA denied the request to streamline disaster assistance registration.