FEMA FAQs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps provide support to victims and survivors of natural and man-made disasters. These include catastrophic weather events, chemical spills, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

FEMA doesn’t unilaterally jump into action after an adverse event. Normally, the steps below outline a general response from officials leading up to FEMAs assistance:

1. Local or state officials declare a state of emergency. Local emergency crews and first responders work to deal with the disaster.
2. Municipal and state agencies are first to respond.
3. Officials assess the damage and come up with a report for the governor.
4. The governor will make an official request for a disaster declaration based on the report.
5. FEMA reviews the report and makes a recommendation to the president who either approves or denies the request.
6. If a presidential disaster declaration is issued, FEMA begins providing assistance.

If you’re a surviving victim of a natural disaster, and a presidential disaster declaration has been issued for the area, you may qualify for FEMA assistance. The first step to receive assistance from FEMA and other federal agencies is to register your loss by contacting FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Yes, FEMA and federal agencies may be able to provide assistance in the event that a survivor is under-insured, needs help financing repairs and construction, needs legal services. Federal assistance may help survivors with needs that are not covered by homeowner or flood insurance. In order to become eligible to federal assistance, you must register by calling 1-800-621-3362 or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

When a survivor registers with FEMA and becomes eligible for a Damaged Housing Inspection, an inspection request is sent to a FEMA contractor inspector. The inspector contacts the survivor to set up an appointment for a time and date and also goes over what documentation needs to be provided for proof of residency. Then the inspector meets with the survivor at the residence and performs their inspection to document damages. The inspector will tell the survivor what they can except from FEMA after the inspection.

Depending on the needs of Travis County, some of the services may include:

• Guidance regarding disaster recovery
• Clarification of any written correspondence received
• Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information
• Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
• Status of applications being processed by FEMA
• SBA program information if there is a SBA Representative at the Disaster Recovery Center site
• Crisis Counseling Program
• Disaster Legal Services
• Disaster Unemployment
• Funeral Assistance - Individuals and Households Program

Travis County will work with FEMA to identify services needed by our community. The County and the State of Texas will continue to provide county and state services to citizens of Travis County. Additionally, the cities will continue to provide to city services to those within their city limits.

Generally the County will not come onto private property to remove materials except in an emergency situation. Residents are encouraged to register with Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) 512-806-0800. ADRN volunteers may be able to help with debris clean up. With Court authorization and as a last resort, the County (TNR) may be able to help if the property owner cannot afford to remove the debris and removal is not covered by insurance and the debris poses a health hazard.

Only storm debris will be collected. Trees and other vegetation that provide habitat for wildlife will not be removed.

For vehicles or mobile homes that create a health and safety issue as determined by the Austin/Travis County Health Department, a Request for Assistance Form must be completed by the vehicle owner and by any property owner whose property must be crossed by the County to retrieve the vehicle or mobile home. A clear title to the vehicle or mobile home must be provided. If none exists then guidance from the County Attorney’s Office will be sought to determine the appropriate process for retrieving and disposing of the vehicle or mobile home.

There are various types of assistance. Generally, folks should be encouraged to register with Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) at 512-806-0800. They can help with anything from volunteers to help clean up to help with temporary housing. Volunteer organizations are there to fill in the gaps and provide assistance where the Government or private/Federal flood insurance cannot.

Property owners or contractors can make application anytime online at MyPermitNow.org or at 700 Lavaca, 5th floor any business day between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. At a minimum, a contractor estimate for repair is required. Property owners do not have to use a contractor to complete the repair. A County inspection of the property is not required to apply for a permit.

It may be possible to have permit fees waived for income qualified property owners who did not have flood insurance; county staff will handle each request on a case-by-case basis. Property owners or contractors can make application anytime online at MyPermitNow.org or at 700 Lavaca, 5th floor any business day between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. In the project description, please note that your permit is related to flood repair and you are seeking a fee waiver. At a minimum, a contractor estimate for repair is required.

The Travis County Department of Health and Human Services and Veteran’s Services prides a variety of services through the Family Support Services division. Their website is a good place to start to see what services are available: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/divisions/family-support-services. Citizens can also call the 211 Helpline Navigation Center anytime. They provide simple, one-call access to call specialists and more than 30,000 nonprofit and government resources.

If you feel it is an emergency, call 9-1-1. For all non-emergencies, contact the Travis County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 974-0845 OPT #3

You can buy CapMetro transit passes in person at the CapMetro Transit store and retail outlets like HEB and Randall’s, or you can go to their website for more information at http://www.capmetro.org/ 

The City of Austin provides sheltering for pets at any time we have shelters opens for people. On a case-by-case basis, pets are permitted to stay in shelter while the people seek housing.

This answer is dependent upon individual circumstances. We would refer a family to Social Work Services.

The impact of immigration status will vary from program to program. Federal programs/funds will require citizenship questions.

Someone’s property can only be in the city limits (ie: City of Austin) or outside city limits (County). If you are within a city limits, you have stricter zoning, are subject to City ordinances, and pay City taxes in order to receive city services like City Fire and Police. In the County, you do not have zoning and do not pay city taxes, but receive all County services such as Sheriff’s Office or Emergency Service Districts.

The Cities determine which areas to annex based on the tax revenue generated versus the cost of services to provide.

Call local City government, if in a City/Town/Village, etc.
Dial 311 or 512-974-2000

If not in a City/Town/Village, call their County government
Travis County TNR 512-854-9383

Look up their property taxing jurisdiction in http://www.traviscad.org/ 

Look up their location in https://www.traviscountytx.gov/ 

Look up their location in the City of Austin maps http://www.austintexas.gov/ 

Call local City government, dial 311
City of Austin 512-974-2000
Submit request http://www.austintexas.gov/ 

Call Travis County TNR 512-854-9383
Email [email protected]

The City of Austin has Spanish and/or language line.

Travis County TNR has Spanish speakers available.

If a roadway has a number in its name like RM2222, FM973, US183, then it is a State highway maintained by TxDOT. All other roads are either County or City depending on if the roadway is located with City limits or outside city limits.

When a road is County/State/City, which means those respective entities maintain those roads specifically (Travis County, TxDOT, City of Austin.) There is no cross-maintenance between those entities. It is all based on funding sources for each jurisdiction.

For roads inside a City, call the local information line, dial 311
Alternate number for the City of Austin 512-974-2000
Submit request http://www.austintexas.gov/ 

For roads outside a city.
Call Travis County TNR Roads Dispatch 512-854-9433
Email [email protected] 

For general overview map of County maintained roads https://www.traviscountytx.gov/ 

For a specific road location of County maintained roads* http://traviscountytx.maps.arcgis.com/ 

For highways and tollroads, Call TxDOT 24 hour line at 512-974-0883. For TxDOT Spanish Speakers, Call the Austin District Main Office from 8 AM to 5 PM at 512-832-7000
http://www.txdot.gov/contact-us/form.html 

The City of Austin has Spanish and/or language line.

Travis County Dispatch has limited access to Spanish speakers.

TxDOT Austin District has limited access to Spanish speakers.