Hurricane Ike Recovery Resources
Public Resources
Disclaimer: The following information is not all-inclusive, and is not meant as an endorsement of any particular charity or other provider.
Federal, State and Local Agencies
FEMA |
For people needing immediate housing assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is reporting that federal disaster aid is available for the state of Texas to supplement recovery efforts, including assistance for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.
Phone Numbers:
1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
1-800-462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities
Hotels participating in the FEMA program |
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Houston-area YMCAs |
Houston-area YMCAs that have power are opening their doors to the community for showers and battery charging (even for non-members). |
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Social Security Assistance |
Call 1-800-772-1213 if you have not received your assistance. |
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) |
SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. If you do not qualify for FEMA aid, you may qualify for a low interest loan through SBA.
Phone Number:
1-800-659-2955 |
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TX DOT |
Call (713) 802-5076 or 1-800-452-9292 for road closure information. |
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Better Business Bureau |
Avoid falling for common post-disaster scams: BBB disaster tips are available on the BBB web site.
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
Phone Numbers:
713-868-9500
1-877-468-9222 |
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Texas Residential Construction Commission |
The mission of the Texas Residential Construction Commission is to promote quality construction for Texans by registering industry members and residential construction projects; providing information and educating homeowners and the residential construction industry; acting as a resource for complainants; and offering a neutral, technical review of alleged post-construction defects.
311 E. 14th Street
P.O. Box 13509
Austin, TX 78711-3509
Phone Number:
1-877-651-8722 |
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PoD (Points of Distribution) Locations
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Phone Number:
713-881-3100 |
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Debris Removal |
Call 1-800-207-2325 for information on setting up debris for disposal and the pickup schedule. |
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Texas Health & Human Services Commission
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The state’s health and human services agencies have compiled resources for the public and health providers to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
Brown-Heatly Building
4900 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751-2316
Phone Numbers:
(512) 424-6500
1-877-541-7905 |
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Department of Labor (DOL)
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The U.S. Department of Labor is assisting in the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast communities affected by this season's hurricanes.
The Department of Labor support includes the following income and job assistance:
- DOL's National Contact Center
1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)
- "Pathways to Employment" Initiative
This "Pathways to Employment" initiative helps evacuees and other survivors of the recent hurricanes find employment and training opportunities. "Pathways to Employment" provides targeted assistance to people based on individual needs through the nationwide network of 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country. There are 19 locations in the Houston area alone.
- Unemployment Insurance (UI)
The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
- National Emergency Grants (NEGs)
Impacted states can apply for NEG funds that can be used to temporarily employ dislocated workers. These funds can be used to employ workers on projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims.
Learn how to apply for a National Emergency Grant.
- Occupational Safety and Health
The Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is making available technical assistance and resources to help protect those participating in cleanup and recovery efforts.
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Utilities
| Entergy Texas |
Entergy Texas continues restoring electrical service to customers affected by Hurricane Ike.
Phone Number:
1-800-ENTERGY (368-3749) |
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| Public Utility Commission of Texas |
Public Utility Commission of Texas protects customers, fosters competition, and promotes high quality infrastructure.
Phone Number:
1-888-782-8477 |
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| Reliant Energy |
Reliant Energy is waiving late fees indefinitely and will be working with its customers on flexible payment terms and extensions to meet their needs, said communications director Pat Hammond. Reliant, which has about 1.8 million customers in Texas, also has suspended its credit and collection activity and has stopped disconnecting customers for non-payment.
Phone Numbers:
713-207-7777
1-866-222-7100 |
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| Green Mountain Energy |
Green Mountain Energy is waiving late fees for customers who call in and let the company know;they were affected by Ike, according to a statement from the company. Green Mountain also is extending its deferred payment plan.
Phone Number:
1-866-785-4668 |
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| Centerpoint Energy |
CenterPoint Energy's natural gas customers affected by Ike will not receive late notices and late fees will be waived, said spokeswoman Leticia Lowe. In addition, the utility will also waive security deposits for customers displaced by the storm, she said.
Phone Number:
713-207-2222 - Report ONLY Power Lines Down. |
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Housing Assistance
U.S. Army Corps Blue Roof Programs
Citizens who have damaged roofs (from trees or wind) and need tarps to cover holes should call 1-888-766-3258 to apply for the U.S. Army Corps Blue Roof Program. You can apply in person at Webster City Hall on Pennsylvania Ave. The Corps will come and place the tarps on your home for free. For more information visit the website at
http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/gustav/releases/rfo906.htm.
Child Care Assistance
University Baptist Church |
16106 Middlebrook Drive
Houston, TX 77059
281-488-8517
Provides daycare services to those affected by Ike, K through 5th grade. |
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Banks
Compass Bank |
Compass Bank has waived access fees to its network of ATMs in Houston and other cities in Texas where it figures Houstonians fleeing the storm may need quick cash, said Thomas Graham, executive vice president of communications in Houston. The bank also is allowing its small business and consumer customers to defer their loan payments, such as car and recreational vehicle loans. The deferral is up to 60 days depending on the customer's individual circumstances. Customers who need early access to their certificates of deposit can have them without paying early withdrawal fees, he said. And late payments will be forgiven, he said. Graham stressed — as did other service providers the importance of giving notice that a payment will be late. |
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Capital One |
Capital One is working with its customers affected by Ike on a case-by-case basis, said spokeswoman Pam Girardo in McLean. The bank has a hardship policy and some examples of what it can do for its customers include waiving late fees, going-over-credit-limit fees and non-sufficient funds fees, she said. Capital One will also consider reducing a customer's minimum payments, deferring payments for a limited time, waiving finance charges and waiving accrued interest. Customers need to call and discuss the options, said Girardo. Capital One also waived the ATM fees for all its customers who use a non-Capital One machine and has suspended all of its collection activity in the area. |
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Comerica |
Comerica has waived ATM fees for customers who use non-Comerica machines and has expedited its process to boost credit card limits, according to spokeswoman Pamela Cathion. The bank is also offering to donate up to $100 to a charity or community relief organization designated by a new customer who opens a bank account with at least $2,500. |
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Discover |
Discover makes special payment considerations on a case-by-case basis to cardholders affected by a natural disaster, said spokesman Jon Drummond. Those provisions include, but are not limited to, allowing them to delay payments, and waving minimum payments, late fees and other charges for specific amounts of time depending on a customer's need. |
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American Express |
American Express spokeswoman Molly Faust said the company will handle each cardholder's situation on an individual basis. If you need help, please call the toll-free number on the back of your card, or visit americanexpress.com and click on "Hurricane Response: Assistance for our Customers." |
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Chase |
Chase is asking its customers facing financial difficulty to contact the bank as soon as possible and it will work with them on an individual basis, according to spokesman Greg Hassell. |
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Cable and Communication Providers
T-Mobile |
T-Mobile is topping off pre-paid cell phones that were running low at no charge to make sure people don't run out of service, and it has suspended collections calls in Houston and Galveston. |
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Sprint |
Sprint is waiving roaming fees, call-forwarding, late fees and overage charges for customers who use more minutes or text messages than they're allowed between Sept. 9 and Oct. 11, said spokeswoman Kristin Wallace. The company is also offering free call-forwarding service and Sprint has suspended collections calls and service disconnections. |
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AT&T |
AT&T has suspended all disconnections and collection activities. The company is providing free local and long-distance calling in all of its retail stores, and is offering free Wi-Fi service to anyone at all area Barnes and Noble locations, said spokesman Dan Feldstein. AT&T will work with customers on their billing on a case-by-case basis. AT&T also offers its customers rollover minutes, allowing them to absorb a month in which their usage is heavier than normal. |
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Verizon Wireless |
Verizon Wireless is giving one month of free service in the 409 area code and has suspended collections calls in the Greater Houston area, said spokeswoman Gretchen LeJeune. |
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Verizon |
Verizon, which provides landline phone service in several cities around Galveston Bay, has suspended collections calls and disconnections, said spokesman Lee Gierczynski. |
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Comcast |
Comcast has suspended disconnections and collections, said spokesman Ray Purser. |
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Time Warner Cable |
Time Warner Cable, which provides cable service for Beaumont and parts of Southeast Texas, has credited customers' accounts back to Sept. 12 and will extend credits until service is restored, said spokesman Gary Underwood. The company also is not disconnecting customers or making collections calls. |
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After the Storm
"After the Storm" PDF
Animal Care
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Houston SPCA |
The Houston SPCA is committed to the rescue and recovery efforts to save the thousands of animals left behind after the wrath of Hurricane Ike. Every lost pet will be photographed and its picture placed on line. The Houston SPCA is currently open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address:
900 Portway Dr.
Houston, TX 77024
Phone Number:
713-869-7722 |
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Special Pals Animal Shelter |
Special Pals Animal Shelter is a rescue shelter that has taken in animals from Kemah, Galveston and Bay Area shelters. They are in need of volunteers to help with 8 a.m. feedings, other assistance and the following supplies:
- bleach
- dry dog food - Purina, Beneful, pedigree
- small bites
- cat litter
- drinking water for volunteers
Address:
3830 Greenhouse Road
Houston, TX 77084
Phone Number:
281-579-7387 |
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