The congressional committee on Homeland Security travelled from Washington, D.C. to The Berry Center in Katy on April 9 to address the lessons learned from Harvey and the path forward and followed up on the Committee’s hearing last month in D.C. on the lessons learned from the 2017 hurricane season by specifically focusing on efforts to respond to and recover from Hurricane Harvey.
Congressman Mike McCaul is the chair of Homeland Security and lead the hearing. Congressman McCaul described building the third reservoir beneath Cypress Creek as both his and Governor Abbott’s “highest priority.”
The reservoir would protect not only the immediate area in Cypress and Katy, but would also protect Houston via Buffalo Bayou as the original Army corps of engineers plans called for in the 1940s.
Members heard from local officials to hear their needs and from federal representatives on how they are supporting Texans in the wake of the storm and in preparation for the 2018 hurricane season.
If you missed the hearing, you can watch the entire thing here: https://livestream.com/CFISD/HurricaneHarveyHearing2018 (the video begins around minute 41)
Conferring with Congressman Michael McCaul (right), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Katy mayor Chuck Brawner (middle) before the committee’s hearing in the Berry Center on the Harvey recovery efforts.
INSPECTION SCHEDULING DEADLINE APRIL 20 for FEMA’s Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair program (DALHR)
“The Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair program has provided valuable repair opportunities for Texans struggling to rebuild after Harvey,” said Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. “As the program comes to a close, applicants who have not yet scheduled an inspection to discuss what repairs might be available need to do so as soon as possible to avoid missing this critical deadline. Local, state and federal partners are working together to help Texans move forward down the road to recovery.”
All applicants who have been notified that they are potentially eligible for the DALHR program are encouraged to contact the General Land Office at 1-888-958-0877 to schedule their inspection prior to the deadline.
The inspection deadline for DALHR does not apply to those living in the city of Houston. Houston is administering the short-term direct housing programs within the city limits, including DALHR.
For those who miss the DALHR inspection deadline, the manufactured housing unit (MHU) and travel trailer options are still a possible short-term housing solution, as well as the Direct Lease program. For more information on the programs, please call the GLO housing hotline: 1-888-958-0877.