Experts from the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC); they will be ready to help survivors get the registration process started and inform them about a range of disaster assistance programs that may be available to them.
The center replaces a Mobile Disaster Registration Intake Center (MDRC) that was open for a few days in Bastrop County.
The center is located at:
Bastrop High School 9th Grade Academy
1602 Hill Street
Bastrop, Texas 78602
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
“It’s tough to recover from a disaster that hit as hard as the Bastrop fires,” said Deputy State Coordinating Officer (SCO) Shari Ramirez-MacKay of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). “Survivors who visit the center just might find there is more help available to eligible people in Bastrop County than they may expect.”
“There are all types of grants available for eligible residents; you should come on down to the center to find out what you’re eligible for. It’s a place where you can talk face to face with experts who can help you with everything, including the registration process,” said Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Kevin L. Hannes. “We especially want to remind everyone how important it is to register – you won’t know if you qualify for federal disaster aid until you take that first step and register.”
There are three ways to register: online at www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov, or by calling FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Specialists are available by phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week.
Follow FEMA tweets about the Texas disaster at www.twitter.com/femaregion6. Other online resources are http://blog.fema.gov,www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.
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Agrilife needs hay and feed for large animals. If you can help with this need, please contact:
Rachel Bauer with Texas Agrilife: 512-468-
TJ Verver with TDA: 512-906-9398
Let me know when you need VISTAs as there as a few standing ready. NCCC is also an option should you need them.
Many shelter residents with insurance are going to hotels, or are arranging to live with friends. Those whose homes survived by God's grace and are located where roads have been reopened away from areas still hot with potential to flare - are returning home even though weeks may pass before water and electrical services can be restored through adjacent burned out areas.
As the 12-15 original shelters coalesced into 3 shelters, other feeding and shower/laundry units are supporting at these sites.
We may be needed later to support clean-out and chainsaw crews although FEMA is currently bringing in private contractors to supply TX National Guard workers incoming into the area.
Appreciate all you Yellow Caps who helped and were willing to help. The sense of Community within the populace being served and the ones bringing food, water, clothing, and Disaster Relief support was God awesome!
The Ascension Catholic Church Parish truly blessed us with their service and shelter as they ministered with gracious spirit, and deeds to all with whom they had contact.
September 9, 2011
Capital Area Food Bank of TX (CAFB) held an emergency meeting for Partner Agency food pantries in the Bastrop and surrounding areas at the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry http://www.
· Tresha Silva, ED, Bastrop Co. Emergency Food Pantry
o 806 Fayett Street, Bastrop 78602, 512-
· Dick, Elgin
o 114 Depot St., Elgin 78621, 512-285-4552
· David Miller, Grace Baptist Church
o 115 Sorrell, Red Rock, 78662, 512-303-3891
· Harold Welch, Primera Baptist Church,
o 306 Paul C. Bell St., Bastrop, 78602, 512-303-2082
· Betty Nicholls, Smithville Food Pantry
o 107 SW Second Avenue, Smithville 78957, 512-237-2322
· Rose Dunn Turner, Caldwell County Christ
o 901 Bois-D'arc Street, Lockhart, 78644, 512-376-6661
In attendance were also:
- Sam Varela, TX Department of AgricultureSam.Varela@
TexasAgriculture.gov
- Charlie Ward, CAFB Chief Operating Officer –cward@austinfoodbank.org
- Kathy Golson, Senior Director of Advocacy & Public Policy –kgolson@austinfoodbank.org
- Karla Cantu, Senior Director of Agency Relations,kcantu@
austinfoodbank.org - Four CAFB SNAP Outreach Coordinators
- John Malco - CAFB Mobile Pantry driver
- CAFB Agency Relations & Programs staff
All CAFB Partner Agencies report that they have been active in response efforts. All are providing food and other assistance to families and first responders. All report that their immediate needs are taken care of. Smithville reports that the Smithville Recreation Cent
CAFB Commitment and Long Term Care Plans
CAFB recognizes all Partner Agencies in the affected and surrounding areas as disaster agencies. These agencies have the commitment of CAFB that we will give priority in making sure all their needs are met so that they can meet the need of the community. CAFB is working with Central TX VOAD (www.centraltexasvoad.org) The Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) (www.adrntx.org), Texas Food Bank Network (www.endhungerintex.org), Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org) and State Emergency Mgmt to coordinate efforts.
- All CAFB Partner Agencies in affected and surrounding areas are instructed use the ADRN call center and refer victims to the ADRN Victim Hotline 512-331-2600 & ADRN Public Hotline at 512-331-2200which is open from 8am – 10pm
- CAFB Has appointed the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry as CAFB’s main point for centralized disaster coordination for all partners. Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry will assist in continued coordination and unity of all affected partners. Please include Tresha Silva director@bastropfoodpantry.
org on all future disaster updates - CAFB will make a statement of visibility and response by having a mobile pantry distribution at Bastrop Emergency Food Pantry on Tuesday, September 13 from 2 -4 p.m. This distribution serves many purposes:
- First and foremost, to provide family boxes to families affected by this major disaster
- To make a statement to the media and community that the Capital Area Food Bank and its network of food pantries are present and are taking the leadership role in the area of food assistance, both disaster and daily
- Raise awareness that this pantry is where our victims can receive long term care
- Raise awareness of the needs of the community, to spur food donations and assure continued support
I’ve put some information into the Texas VOAD Webinar that I created. It has links to maps of fire activity and estimated damage assessment. Feel free to use this site for the call Monday. To view the documents on the site just click the “Save to My Computer” button and then open it. Everyone is also able to share documents. Let me know if you have questions.
Here is the link: https://connect.hsin.
Central Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (CTXVOAD) is a coalition of nonprofit organizations that work together and share resources and knowledge to ensure effective disaster response and recovery through Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration.
Our goal is to combine our resources in effort to reduce duplication of services and maximize resources available to those affected by a disaster. Members of CTXVOAD provide a variety of services, which address the four phases of disaster: Preparation, Response, Recovery and Mitigation.
For updates on Central Texas VOAD, please visit Current Events.
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