HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — If your home or business was damaged in last week’s storm, federal officials recommend applying for assistance now.
FEMA offers funding for emergency supplies and housing, while the Small Business Administration provides up to $2 million in loans for businesses and up to $500,000 for individuals to repair damaged property.
Mary Roberts, a resident affected by the storm, emphasized the importance of awareness. “When you don’t know, you can’t do anything. As my mom used to tell me, ‘You know better, you can act better.'”
Roberts is applying for assistance after power outages spoiled her food and the storm damaged her floors, ceiling, and walls. She expressed her fears: “I be saying, ‘Lord just keep me, don’t let it fall in,’ because you never know. I was really afraid.”
Roberts has lived her entire life in Houston’s Fifth Ward, an area declared a cancer cluster due to chemicals from an old railyard. Despite offers from city officials to buy homes in the area, many residents, including Roberts, are hesitant. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not selling mine because I can’t buy another one,” she said. “How do I know where they’re going to move me to? I’m not moving.”
The impact of recent storm damage on the buyout plans remains uncertain. Meanwhile, residents are focused on immediate needs.
Mary Hutchins, another resident, also applied for FEMA assistance after losing all the food in her freezer. Despite initial application issues, she persisted and now has a case number. “I know everybody here. Their lights were out for four to five days,” Hutchins explained. “We’ve just got to get the information into the hood.”
Roberts echoed the sentiment: “I wish everybody could get some help, really, because during this time, we need it.”
