Viewers still waiting for FEMA’s help, weeks after May’s destructive storms

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Although it’s now June, many residents in the Greater Houston area are still struggling to recover from the severe storms that hit in May. Several individuals have contacted , reporting weeks of waiting with no updates on their disaster recovery funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Sandra Edwards, a resident of Houston’s Fifth Ward, is facing severe damage to her home. Her house was previously gutted by Hurricane Harvey, necessitating a complete rebuild. Recently, the derecho event on May 16 caused further damage, leading to cracks in her walls and a collapsing roof.

“The storm woke me up. It hit like a freight train, causing my house to shake and shift. My ceiling started detaching. With each disaster, it’s like I keep getting hit again. The more I repair, the more disasters seem to come back and beat me down,” Edwards shared.

Edwards applied for financial assistance from FEMA weeks ago but has yet to receive a response or a visit from an inspector. Currently, FEMA is providing her with temporary lodging, but she remains without basic necessities. “I have nothing. No food, no money. What am I supposed to do?” she asked.

In a statement to , a FEMA spokesperson explained, “FEMA assistance requires verification of specific unmet needs caused by a declared disaster. Each application is reviewed individually to determine the appropriate type of assistance for the survivor.”

FEMA’s website mentions that delays can occur due to various reasons, including missing documentation or missed follow-up calls, which may come from unlisted numbers.

Jennifer Shanal from Channelview experienced a four-day power outage due to the May 16 storm, resulting in food loss and water damage that led to mildew in her walls. “I had nothing when the storm hit. I had to put everything in a bucket. Now, I’m struggling to make ends meet and have no one to help me,” Shanal said.

Shanal was approved by FEMA for $750 but has not received the funds. She was told that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is responsible for distributing the money. After waiting on the HHSC hotline for hours without resolution, ABC13 contacted the state on her behalf. An HHSC spokesperson stated, “HHSC is working hard to distribute funds to FEMA-approved disaster survivors. However, wait times may be longer due to increased call volume.”

HHSC is expanding its hotline capacity. For inquiries, residents can contact the Other Needs Assistance department at (800) 582-5233 or email disasterassistance@hhsc.state.tx.us.

FEMA has reported that it is currently assisting 34,636 Texas households affected by the storms and flooding, with $68.5 million in financial aid approved to date.

Residents with disaster damage have until July 16 to apply for assistance through FEMA. Applications can be submitted via the Disaster Assistance website, the FEMA mobile app, by calling the FEMA hotline at (800) 621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., or by visiting one of their disaster recovery centers.