Rebuilding After the Storm

Harvey Disaster Aid Timeline

  • September 2017: The first emergency disaster aid package totaling $21.95 billion is signed into law. This package included $7.4 billion for FEMA, $450 million for the Small Business Authority (SBA) disaster loan program, and $7.4 billion for HUD housing assistance in areas impacted by the storm. Senator Cornyn voted for this bill. 
  • October 2017: The second disaster aid package included $36.5 billion in funding relief for Texans as well as those impacted by wildfires in the western United States. Senator Cornyn voted for this bill. 
  • February 2018: The third disaster aid package included $89.3 billion in emergency funding for areas hit by natural disasters, including Harvey. This includes $23.5 billion for FEMA and $28 billion for HUD to rebuild housing and infrastructure. Senator Cornyn voted for this bill. 
  • February 2018: Legislation is signed into law to provide over $5.5 billion in targeted tax relief for Texans impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The bill was introduced by Senator Cruz and cosponsored by Senator Cornyn.

 

Coastal Protection Projects Underway

Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay: This project includes 27 miles of new levees in the City of Orange; improvements of existing hurricane protection systems such as the floodwall near Tank Farm, Valero, and others in the City of Port Arthur; and improvements of existing hurricane protection systems such as raising the East Storm, Oyster Creek, South Storm, and Old River levee systems as well as the Tide Gate Floodwall in the City of Freeport.
 
1.  Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries: This project is designed to prevent seepage and wrap around spillage from Addicks and Barker Reservoir structures to protect large areas of the City of Houston.
 
2.  White Oak Bayou: This plan includes an earthen channel modification from Cole Creek to FM 1960, four detention basins of approximately 2,940 acre-feet of storm water storage, 4.9 acres of compensatory wetland credits, and approximately 12 miles of linear bikeway to manage flood risks.
 
3.  Hunting Bayou: This project includes 3.8 miles of grass lined channel, 75 acres of detention basin, 14 bridge modifications, three railroad bridge replacements, and 5.16 acres of wetland credits
 
4.  Clear Creek: This project provides flood risk management for 17 cities in the Cleark Creek watershed via 15.3 miles of channel enlargement and bend easing, more stringent regulations restricting development of the 100-year floodplain, and a second outlet channel with a gated structure between Clear Lake and Galveston Bay.
 
5.  Brays Bayou: The flood risk management plan for this area, including the Texas Medical Center, includes four detention basins (Sam Houston, Old Westheimer, Eldridge Road, and Willow Waterhole), enlargement or modification of 21.1 miles of earthen channel, and the replacement and/or lengthening of 27 bridges.
 
6.  Lower Colorado River Phase 1 (Wharton): To reduce flood damage potential, nearly seven miles of levees, half a mile of floodwalls, two miles of channel modifications, and interior drainiage features will be completed. 

Projects Being Studied

Costal Texas Protection and Restoration: This study will identify and recommend a comprehensive strategy for reducing flood risk through structural and nonstructural measures that take advantage of natural features like barrier islands and storm surge storage wetlands to protect the Texas coast.
 
7.  Brazos River: This study will investigate stream bank measures to reduce or mitigate erosion losses, reduce the impact of increased flood risk, and provide protection benefits for the infrastructure and those living within the vicinity. 
 
8.  Houston Regional Watershed Assessment: This study includes 22 primary watersheds totaling 1,756 square miles within Harris County and the Houston metropolitan area.
 
9.  Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study: This study will examine the entire 32 miles of channel extending from the Houston Ship Channel Turning Basin to Barker Dam. 
 
10.  Guadalupe and San Antonio River Basins: The study will investigate flood risks and risk alternatives along the Lower Guadalupe River and San Antonio River Basins.
 
For additional information about state and local recovery planning and available resources, visit Governor Abbott's Commission to Rebuild Texas at RebuildTexas.Today and community development and revitalization plats from the Texas General Land Office at TexasRebuilds.org.

 

Hurricane Preparedness

I encourage all Texans to take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their families safe in the event of a natural disaster or hazardous conditions.

Senator John Cornyn

Hurricane Season 2018: Jun 1 - Nov 30. 

Every Texan is encouraged to be ready for severe weather, especially during hurricane season. It is recommended that you prepare an emergency kit, make a plan, learn local evacuation routes, and always listen to the warnings of local leaders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
 
For continuing updates on Hurricane Harvey Resources, please click here.
 
Here are five basic hurricane preparedness tips from ready.gov:
 
• Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.

 
• Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
.
 
• If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.

 
• Make a family emergency communication plan.

 
• Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
 
For more information about planning ahead for natural disasters, please visit ready.gov.
 
To track active storms, please visit the NOAA's National Hurricane Center.
 
Information on disaster assistance can be found at fema.gov or at 1-800-621-FEMA. Texans can also get the latest updates and register for disaster assistance on their cell phones using FEMA’s mobile application, available here.
 
By taking commonsense steps to prepare for severe weather, we can help ensure the safety of our families and ourselves during emergency situations. 

 

 

 

Recovery Resources

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
 
The Disaster Distress Helpline is a national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Call (800) 985-5990, TTY (800) 846-8517 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor (Spanish-speakers text: Hablanos to 66746).

 

Federal Disaster Assistance

  • For general help or to find out where you can volunteer, call 211.
  • Texans who have sustained property damage from severe storms and flooding are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at disasterassistance.gov. 
  • Download the FEMA app for iPhone with emergency information by county here.
  • FEMA runs an emergency lodging assistance program. Click here for information about transitional sheltering at participating hotels.

 

Other Disaster Resources

  • For general help or to find out where you can volunteer, call 211.
  • For road closures across Texas, click here.
  • Review Severe Weather safety tips here. 
  • To get help filing a personal insurance claim, visit the Texas Department of Insurance website or call their Consumer Help Line: 800-252-3439 (Note: this is not an emergency number)
  • National Flood Insurance Program policyholders may call 1-800-621-3362 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) for general information, servicing of claims, or technical assistance. 
  • The Small Business Administration provides disaster loan assistance for those who qualify. Click here for additional information or to apply online.

 

Replacing Lost or Damaged Documents

  • SNAP Card (food stamps): call the Lonestar helpdesk toll-free at 1-800-777-7328.
  • Green Cards: Call 800-375-5283 or click here.
  • Birth and Death Certificates: Call 888-963-7111 or visit this website.
  • Texas Driver's License: Call 512-424-2600 or click here.
  • Bank Checks, ATM/Debit Cards, or Safe Deposit Boxes: Call 877-275-3342 or click here.
  • Credit Cards: Contact your issuing institution: American Express (800-992-3404), Discover (800-347-2683), MasterCard (800-622-7747), or Visa (800-847-2911).
  • Credit Reports: Contact Equifax, Experian, or Transunion at 877-322-8228 or visit annualcreditreport.com
  • Social Security Card: Call 800-772-1213 or click here.
  • Fraud Alerts or a Credit Freeze: Call 877-438-4338 or click here.
  • Medicare Cards: Call 800-772-1213 or click here.
  • Passport: Call 202-955-0430 or 877-487-2778 or click here.
  • U.S. Savings Bonds: Call 800-722-2678 or 800-553-2663 or click here.
  • Tax Returns: Call 800-829-1040 or click here.
  • Military Records: Call 866-272-6272 or click here.
  • Vehicle Titles: Call 888-368-3689 or click here.
  • Replace a Texas Marriage Record or Certificate: Visit this website for statewide information or visit this site for your issuing Clerk of Court.
  • Proof of Address/Residency: Click here.