 Trinity Episcopal Church Galveston, Texas
The following message is from Erin Toberman to her Tiki Island neighbors, but it contains information concerning FEMA that is important for all of us:
Hello neighbors-
I went to a Galveston Historical Foundation sponsored meeting regarding FEMA yesterday and I wanted to relay some of the information about FEMA and other disaster recovery resources of which I am aware.
I encourage every homeowner and renter to make sure to register with FEMA prior to the 10/13/08 deadline. Once registered, a FEMA representative will arrange a time to meet with you and review your property damage. FEMA will will want to see photos and any other available documentation regarding damage if you have already begun repairing and restoring your property. FEMA is coordinating financial resources with the Small Business Association. Once you have met with your FEMA representative, you will receive a SBA Loan Application package in the mail. Again, I strongly encourage you to complete the application by the deadline identified in your SBA Loan Information Packet.
Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 with interest rates as low as 2.85% with up to 30 year terms to repair or replace personal property not covered by insurance. This loan may also be used to cover insurance deductible expenses. Renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.
Homeowners and renters who receive a disaster loan application should complete and return it to SBA, even if they are not sure they will need or want a loan. If the SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases they will refer you to FEMA's Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for possible additional assistance.
ABOUT FEMA:
To be eligible for FEMA resources, you must register with FEMA by October 13, 2008. Two FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open in Galveston County to provide face-to-face assistance to those who suffered damage from Hurricane Ike. The Galveston Island DRC is located at the:
Galveston Island Community Center
4700 Broadway
Galveston, TX
The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice.
The Mainland DRC, which opened Thursday, Sept. 25, is also open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at:
Bay Shore Park
5500 West Bay Shore Drive
San Leon, TX 77539
Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a DRC. There are two ways to register: log on to www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice.
At the DRC, visitors can receive information about different types of state and federal disaster assistance. Get help completing low-interest loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters and business owners. Inquire about the status of applications for federal assistance. Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs. Learn cost-effective measures to reduce the impact of future disaster losses. Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA also are available for residential and business losses not covered by insurance or other sources.
Residents should carry with them their identification, social security number, insurance information, proof of address and contact numbers when they visit the DRC to expedite the process.
More information is available online at www.fema.gov or www.txdps.state.tx.us/demwww.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
ALL AFFECTED BUSINESSES SHOULD REGISTER WITH FEMA! There is a special FEMA Business application center located in the College of the Mainland's Business Center. It is open M-F from 8am-5pm.
ABOUT U.S. ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS BLUE ROOF PROGRAM - YOU MUST REGISTER BY OCT 13, 2008:
Hurricane Ike has left many Texas homeowners with damaged roofs. Repairs to these roofs can take time. In order to mitigate additional damage that could result from rain, homeowners can have plastic sheeting installed over the damaged area by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors, in a program provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The toll-free BLUE ROOF hotline number is 1-888-ROOF-BLU or 1-888-766-3258.
The Corps has established temporary Right of Entry collection sites in Galveston and on the Mainland. Anyone needing a temporary roof can go to the Galveston Justice Center, 601 54th Street, Galveston Island or to the Texas City Community Center, 2000 Texas Ave in Texas City to fill out a right of entry form. Hours of operation will be daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more locations CLICK HERE.
Here are some facts about Operation BLUE ROOF:
To qualify for FREE TEMPORARY BLUE ROOF services, damage to the roof must be less than 50 percent and the area to be covered must be structurally sound for a crew to work on. In order to have plastic sheeting placed on their roofs, homeowners must complete a right-of-entry form to allow government and contract employees on their property. Right of Entry (ROE) centers for affected counties are staffed by Corps of Engineers employees. For the center location in your county, call toll free 1-888-766-3258.
The Corps is covering roofs in the hardest hit counties first. Be patient. The Corps will respond to every person who has completed a ROE as quickly as possible. In some instances, there may be a slowdown in installing plastic sheeting because of a national shortage. Homeowners may also cover their roofs with free tarps provided by FEMA and issued through their local governments. Residents need to monitor the media for information on where to pick up the tarps. The plastic covering and the tarps are temporary fixes designed to provide protection from the elements until the homeowner can make permanent repairs with a qualified professional.
The BLUE ROOF program is provided by FEMA through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in all counties that have been declared by FEMA for the Individual Assistance program. The need for Blue Roof services is undetermined because the survey is not complete.
THE GALVESTON ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTER:
The Galveston Island Community Center located at 4700 Broadway on Galveston Island is housing representative from local, state and national disaster, recovery and social services both governmental and private (except Texas Windstorm). FEMA, SBA, IRS, Jesse Tree, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Gal. Co. Health Services, etc. all have representatives there to answer question and assist with obtaining and completing applications.
VOTER REGISTRATION:
If residents left the area during the hurricane and won't return before Election Day on Nov. 6, they can still vote using an absentee ballot.
To obtain an absentee ballot, voters should download a form at www.galvestonvotes.org or call 409-766-2200.
You can also still register to vote through Monday, one month before Election Day.
If they don't intend on returning to Galveston County at all, they need to register to vote at their new residence within the next week.
People of voting age who have not registered can obtain a form at the county voter registrar's office, the Texas Secretary of State's office in Austin, many post offices, any public library, the Texas City driver license office, health and human services offices, some major grocery stores or online at www.votexas.org.
Voting sites will also change. About half of Galveston's polling places aren't usable because of hurricane damage. Galveston County commissioners will discuss creating a modified list of polling places during their next meeting. The sites should be finalized in the next two days.
Completed voter registration forms can be submitted to any of the county's four tax offices, county driver license offices - except for the damaged, closed Galveston office - public libraries or the secretary of state's office.
TIKI ISLAND NEWS WEBSITE:
I am working on improving the Tiki Island News website. I am in the process of adding information about resources, ways Tiki residents can help Galveston and improving the FORUM area. I have heard from a few people that they would prefer to have a true forum format available (like Bayou Vista's) and I should have that up and running by tomorrow morning. I ask for your patience as I make these improvements. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported my efforts with compliments, contributions and encouragement. I am looking forward to providing my wonderful neighbors with continued Tiki Island information and news.
Please forward this newsletter and information on to Tiki neighbors and friends as I do not have everyone's email address and many residents do not have access to the internet.
Feel free to email or call/text me (281) 468-0818 if you have any questions or concerns.
I am looking forward to seeing you on Tiki Island again soon!
Erin Toberman
1610 Tiki Drive
erin@galvestonkidz.com
c)281-468-0818
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