Updated: 11/7/2019 9:45 AM

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner have established the Imelda Assistance Fund to meet the needs of those who have suffered damage during Tropical Storm Imelda and the flooding that followed. To learn more and to donate to the Imelda Assistance Fund, please go to https://ghcf.org/imelda/.

Federal Resources

Applicants may apply for assistance or request more information on SBA disaster assistance:

• ONLINE: disasterloan.sba.gov
• CALL: (800) 659-2955
• EMAIL: [email protected]

The application deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance has passed. Applicants can check the status of their application: 

• Call: 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585)
• Online: www.disasterassistance.gov/

Legal Assistance

A toll-free legal assistance hotline is available to people affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.  This service is a partnership among Lone Star Legal Aid, the State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, FEMA, and other local organizations.  Low-income individuals and families facing legal issues as a result of Imelda may call 866-659-0666.  Individuals and families who qualify for assistance will be matched with Texas lawyers who can provide free, limited legal help.

Crisis Counseling

Texans Recovering Together works under the auspices of The Harris Center, through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Funds for this program are provided by FEMA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This program provides free outreach and counseling services to assist individuals and families in Harris County who were affected by Tropical Storm Imelda. 

Free outreach and counseling services includes:

• Crisis Counseling
• Resource Referrals
• Skill Building
• Grief and Loss
• Disaster Education
• Awareness

Contact Texans Recovering Together: 713-970-7000

Disaster Case Management

At this time, Disaster Case Management funded through FEMA is not available.  Limited Disaster Case Management services are available through local nonprofits.  To find a Disaster Case Management provider near you, please call 2-1-1.

For Recovery Resources call 211

211 Texas/United Way Helpline, operated by United Way of Greater Houston, is committed to helping people connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, our goal is to present accurate, well-organized and easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs. 211 Texas is a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help can be provided in 150 different languages. You can dial 211 or 877 541-7905 or search the database at www.211texas.org

Muck and Gut Resources

• How to Muck & Gut your home (Text) | (Video)
• Tools needed
• Debris sortin

Mold Remediation

• Mold remediation guide | Guía de Remediación de Moldes en español
• Mold remediation video

Food Pantry Finder

Click Here to find a local food pantry from the Houston Food Bank.

Disaster Recovery How to Replace Important Documents

• English
• en Español

Disaster Recovery Renter's Rights

• English
• en Español

Immigrant Survivors

Immigrant survivors can visit this link for information on immigrant eligibility for disaster relief programs, list of non-English/culturally-specific media, common legal needs after a disaster, and more.

Insurance Information 

Here are some things to keep in mind if you need to file an insurance claim:

• Report your claim immediately
• Take pictures or video of all damages
• Save all your receipts
• If you have flooding, disconnect electronics and electrical appliances and move them to a dry place, and move any damaged household items to a dry place
• If you evacuate, call your agent and provide a number where you can be reached
• Don’t start a car that’s flooded since hidden water could further damage your vehicle and cause other risks
• Dry out your car and other water-damaged items to prevent mold
• If your car was towed due to flooding you can search for it on FindMyTowedCar.com

Claim Numbers

• Allstate 1-800-54-Storm (1-800-547-8676)
• AAA Texas 1-800-672-5246
• Nationwide 1-800-421-3535
• Farmers 1-800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) or Spanish (1-877-732-5266)
• Foremost Insurance 1-800-527-3907
• Bristol West Insurance 1-800-274-7865
• Mercury Insurance 1-800-503-3724
• State Farm 1-800 SF CLAIM (1-800-732-5246)
• Travelers Insurance 1-800-238-6225
• USAA 1-800-531-8722
• Texas Windstorm Insurance Association 1-800-788-8247
• The Texas Department of Insurance can also help you find the right contacts: 1-800-252-3439; or Click Here

Recovery Information

• Muck and Gut Process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHRSpiSBF0E
• FEMA Assistance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZnjpJvxMJ4
• Tools Needed for Muck and Gut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHX62ZMku_w
• Mold Remediation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSwZiGTtMYw
• Accessing Help After A Disaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7z5xUonwxk