Texas Officials Tour Hurricane Ike Damage

Since a tree fell into her Lake Cherokee home Sept. 13, Denise Wachter has found something positive to say about the weather — it hasn't rained since then.

She is among dozens of Gregg County residents struck by Tropical Storm Ike damage. Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Texas governor's office visited her home and other local properties Wednesday. The information they gathered will help state or federal officials determine if the county is a disaster area, a designation that could mean financial assistance for residents and business owners.

Neither reporters nor photographers were allowed to join FEMA and governor's officials Wednesday, said Bill Stoudt, Gregg County's top administrator.

The tree that fell in Wachter's house two weeks ago left a hole in the ceiling. Only a tarp keeps precipitation and tree leaves outside the structure, but rainwater could soak crushed areas of her home. That sag, coupled with no home insurance, could make matters worse, she said.

"It it starts to rain, the water will get under the tarps," she said. "The left side (of the house) is crushed. It looks like a giant Humpty Dumpty sat on it."

Wachter and other Ike victims could qualify for assistance, including up to $28,800 in individual grants, if Gregg County is declared a disaster area.

Any head of a household — either a homeowner or a renter — in a declared area is eligible to apply for a grant, as are people visiting or passing through the area who sustained damages when the disaster occurred.

The grant covers only disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, such as transportation, personal property and medical, dental and funeral expenses. Business losses, landscaping and luxurious or non-essential items are not covered.

It's not known whether Gregg or surrounding counties will be declared disaster areas. Ruby Dailey, a governor's office representative in Austin, said this week's visit from federal and state officials doesn't assure assistance for East Texas storm damages.

"This is the first step," Dailey said, "but this does not guarantee a declaration."

If there is no declaration, Wachter and her family will have to make due with a tarp-covered hole in their roof until they can make necessary repairs. The good news for her is there's no rain forecast through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

"I hope it can hold off three more weeks," Wachter said.

Disaster assistance grants

The Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program has two provisions of assistance:

Housing Assistance: Administered and 100 percent funded by FEMA (call FEMA with any questions about housing repair to your primary residence or temporary housing needs)

Other Needs Assistance: Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission; funded 75 percent federal and 25 percent state (call HHSC about your application for personal property, transportation, medical or funeral needs)

Conditions:

- The president must declare the county where you live a major disaster area.

- You must first use all insurance benefits and any other help available from federal, state and local agencies.

- You must apply for a Small Business Administration loan even if you do not own a business.

- If your only expenses were disaster-related medical, dental or funeral bills, you do not have to apply for an SBA loan.

- You cannot get a grant if you refuse other assistance, such as an SBA loan.

- If you have home, health, flood or car insurance, you mush apply for settlements of your losses and keep records of the settlements.

- You must be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national or a qualified alien in the U.S. If you or your spouse do not meet any of these conditions, but your minor child does, then you may apply on his behalf.

- Apply for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free phone number, (800) 621-3362. Applications are accepted for 60 days after the date of the presidential declaration, although a 30-day extension might be granted in unusual circumstances.

After grant application, be prepared to provide:

- Proof of primary residence (by showing current utility bills in your name, for example)

- The deed to your home or other proof of ownership

- The title to your car (in your name)

- The estimates for car repairs

- Information about insurance settlements

- Disaster-related medical, dental or funeral bills

Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission