Chamber Disaster Recovery Page (CDRP)
Hurricane Beryl Recovery Resources
General Resources
If you were impacted by the recent disaster, please fill out this 5-minute survey to register your needs. Connective works with our non-profit and volunteer community to help meet immediate needs following a disaster. Visit www.connectivesurvey.org.
Helpful Links:
- Assistance Accessing Resources: 2-1-1
- Urgent Mental Health Services: 9-8-8
- Disaster Distress Helpline: Get Immediate Crisis Counseling and Support | SAMHSA
- Call or text 1-800-985-5990
- Shelters operated by American Red Cross in Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery Counties
- Cooling Centers & Food Distribution Near You
- Sign up for disaster alerts: Fort BendCounty / Harris County/Houston / Montgomery County / Waller County
Federal Government Resources
“How to recover financially after Hurricane Beryl”. This blog post highlights some helpful information about recovering and rebuilding finances post-storm, and preparing for the next, along with a link to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint portal for difficulty with a financial product or service.
FEMA Resources & Assistance
FEMA Resources & Assistance (Individual Assistance)
Texans who have disaster related needs due to Hurricane Beryl may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Currently, residents living in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker and Wharton counties may be eligible for disaster assistance. Additional counties may be added in the future if requested by the state and warranted by further damage assessments.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
The first step residents can take to jumpstart their recovery is to apply for FEMA assistance. There are four easy ways to apply and learn about other forms of assistance that may be available.
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. If you have access to Wi-Fi and your electronic devices have power, applying online is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to apply.
- On the FEMA App for mobile devices. You can also use the app’s Disaster Recovery Center locator feature to find an open center nearby.
- Visiting any Disaster Recovery Center, for locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.
- Calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Wait times may be unusually high and applying online at disasterassistance.gov is the quickest way to complete an application at this time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
FEMA - Start Your Recovery Process
Small Business Association (SBA) Resources
Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans
Residents impacted by Beryl are eligible to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans.
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for loans to repair property damage is September 10, 2024, and economic injury is April 14, 2025.
SBA Disaster Loan Information Session
July 19, 2024
How to Apply:
- Online: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=TX-20016
- In-Person: Visit a Business Recovery Center to speak one-on-one to an SBA disaster customer service representative.
- For questions: Contact SBA Disaster Customer Service at 800-659-2955 from 8:00AM-8:00PM ET Monday through Friday.
Disaster Assistance Key Facts
- Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.
- These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
- Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
- Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
- In addition, applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
- The deadline to apply for physical damage is September 10, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is April 14, 2024.
- The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in in the Texas counties of: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker & Wharton;
- For economic injury only in the contiguous Texas counties of: Angelina, Austin, Calhoun, Cherokee, Colorado, Grimes, Hardin, Houston, Lavaca, Madison, Newton, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria & Waller;
SBA Disaster Declaration
On July 12, 2024, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed a disaster declaration for the State of Texas, directing FEMA to provide assistance to those impacted including directing the U.S. Small Business Agency to take action with disaster response.
SBA Disaster Loans Fact Sheet
SBA Disaster Preparedness Checklist
SBA Texas Resource Partners
SBA Disaster Assistance Centers
Business Recovery Centers Available
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following centers to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each applicant complete their electronic loan application.
HARRIS COUNTY – Business Recovery Center
University of Houston - Downtown
Marilyn Davies College of Business
320 North Main St (Room B106, 1st Floor) – Houston, TX 77002
(Please Note: Parking is underneath the Marilyn Davies
College of Business in the Shea Street Building)
- Mon-Fri: 9:00am-6:00pm CT
- Sat: 9:00am-4:00pm CT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Business Recovery Center
21575 US Highway 59, Suite #201 - New Caney, TX 77357
- Mon-Sat: 8:00am-6:00pm CT
As more Business Recovery Centers become available, they will be added to the original disaster declaration, which can be found here: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=TX-20016
State of Texas Resources
Food Replacement
If you sustained power outages, you may be eligible for food replacement.
Homeowners and renters may be eligible for food replacement as part of their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. Call your provider to check as each insurance company and policy can have different benefits and requirements.
SNAP recipients may also receive replacement benefits due to a sustained power outage. Contact 2-1-1 or visit https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home to complete the replacement benefits application.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance - July 15, 2024 update
IMPORTANT: HURRICANE BERYL UPDATE
TWC is now accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in two additional counties* as a result of severe weather due to Hurricane Beryl. Individuals with jobs affected by severe weather in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton Counties may be eligible for DUA benefits.
Apply for #benefits at (800) 939-6631 or https://pulse.ly/np8bymoiuj
Applications must be submitted by September 9, 2024.
Learn more 
https://pulse.ly/nzx5tk8hrr
*Additional counties may be added.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance - July 9, 2024 update
Update: DUA is now available in 40 counties* – adding Anderson, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, and Sabine Counties.
️ TWC is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of recent severe weather. Individuals with jobs affected by recent storms in Anderson, Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Ellis, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, and Waller Counties may be eligible for DUA benefits.
Apply for #benefits at (800) 939-6631 or https://pulse.ly/mlv24qsyyg
Applications must be submitted by July 16, 2024. *Additional counties may be added.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
If you sustain property damage as a result of #HurricaneBeryl— submit an online damage report to TDEM.
Report Damage: damage.tdem.texas.gov. This info helps officials connect impacted Texans with resources & services.
Harris County Resources
The Harris County Attorney’s Office is fighting price gouging.
If you were in the path of #HurricaneBeryl and have experienced price gouging in your area, text 346-354-7459 or submit a complaint to ConsumerHelp@harriscountytx.gov.
City of Houston Resources
Volunteer Opportunities
If your group (company, school, church, etc.) would like to volunteer, visit www.crisiscleanup.org/register to register your organization.
Volunteer Houston
Any individual who would like to volunteer to assist can register by visiting www.volunteerhou.org/disaster or by calling 211.
Partner Resources
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, Chamber Partner, LiftFund, in collaboration with Chamber Impact Partner, Wells Fargo, is offering a special relief loan to support small businesses in distress. This program aims to provide financial assistance to businesses affected by power outages, supply chain disruptions, and inventory loss. https://www.liftfund.com/BERYL-RELIEF-LOAN/
The Montrose Center is pleased to offer free support groups to help process the recent challenges brought upon by #Hurricane Beryl.
Led by licensed therapists, these groups provide safe, LGBTQIA-affirming spaces where you can share experiences, express emotions, and connect with others who understand. These sessions will be provided in English and en español.
All groups will be in-person at the Montrose Center and drop-ins are welcome. To learn more about these groups or to sign up for one that works with your schedule, please email kleisher@montrosecenter.org.
Disaster Relief Funds
👉 Greater Houston Disaster Alliance:
🌐 https://disasteralliance.org/beryl/
The Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund has been established to provide support services including financial aid to repair/rebuild homes, temporary housing solutions, access to low-interest loans, or other specialized programs designed to help individuals & families get back on their feet quickly.
May 2024 Derecho Severe Weather Recovery Resources
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) continues to support and coordinate recovery efforts following the severe weather from this week. On May 17, 2024, President Joe Biden signed a disaster declaration for the State of Texas, allowing FEMA to provide Individual Assistance to those impacted by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding. Below is a list of federal, state, and local resources to help residents with recovery needs.
FEMA Resources
Residents can begin the application process online, calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or downloading the FEMA app. For additional information about FEMA’s disaster assistance resources and Individual Assistance program, visit disasterassistance.gov.
Small Business Administration
Residents in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties impacted by the April and May severe weather, flooding, and tornadoes are eligible to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans.
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at disasterloanassistance.sba.
The deadline to apply for loans to repair property damage is Tuesday, July 16, 2024, and economic injury is Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Harris County Cooling Centers
Residents can begin the application process online, calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or downloading the FEMA app. For additional information about FEMA’s disaster assistance resources and Individual Assistance program, visit disasterassistance.gov.
The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) System has opened several locations to serve as cooling centers for those looking to stay cool, charge electronic devices, and find activities for children.
Library branches are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm today. A map displaying these locations is available at readyharris.org. Hours for each location are subject to change each day. Individuals can call 2-1-1 or 3-1-1 for assistance with transportation and to find the nearest location.
Recommendations
The temperature is expected to rise over the next several days, HCOHSEM urges all residents to take simple steps to keep themselves safe.
- Stay in air conditioning as much as possible. Shopping malls, libraries, and other public, indoor spaces are great places to go to beat the heat when needed.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight, and loose-fitting clothing.
- If you must be outdoors, STAY HYDRATED and avoid the hottest part of the day between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Take frequent breaks.
- NEVER leave children or pets unattended in cars or other vehicles. Temperatures rise quickly and can reach deadly levels in minutes.
2-1-1 and 3-1-1
Harris County and City of Houston residents can call 3-1-1 for information about transportation, infrastructure, debris pick up, and other services.
For post incident support and other needs, residents can call 2-1-1 for assistance.
Stay informed by following HCOHSEM updates at ReadyHarris.org, on social media, and by signing up for ReadyHarris Alerts or ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts.