Release Date: January 30, 2012
Release Number: TX 12998-01
Media Contact: Richard Jenkins
Phone: (916) 735-1500

Sacramento, CA - Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas residents and business owners affected by the flooding and severe storms on January 9, 2012, announced U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a January 27 request from Governor Rick Perry.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Hams County and the neighboring counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller.

"The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Texans with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster," said Mills. "Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA."

"Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster," said SBA's Houston District Director Manuel R. Gonzalez. "Beginning Wednesday, February 1 at 9 am, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their application," Gonzalez continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

Opens Wednesday, February 1
Mondays through Fridays, 9 am to 6 pm
until further notice

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40~OOO to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. . '

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size and aquaculture businesses, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.063 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition.

Applicants may apply online via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sbg.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling SBA at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is March 30, 2012. The deadline to return economic injury applications is October 30, 2012.

For more information, visit SBA 's Web site at www.sba.gov.
SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

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Following the severe weather this morning, the Fort Bend County EOC has returned to Level 4 - Normal Readiness.

Officials from the Office of Emergency Management and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office were in the EOC throughout the morning and early afternoon, manning stations to monitor and respond to the potential threat. The Sheriff's Office representative, Bob Haenel, acted as PIO giving numerous interviews to local media.

Let us know how we did! Did you receive alerts in a timely manner? Are there better ways for us to get this information to you? Would you recommend us as a source of information for your friends and family?

Contact the Office of Emergency Management via the inquiry form, our Facebook page, our Twitter account, or by emailing oem@co.fort-bend.tx.us.

In anticipation of potential severe weather this morning, the Fort Bend County EOC has been partially activated.

Officials from the Office of Emergency Management and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office are in the EOC, manning stations to monitor and respond to the potential threat.

We are monitoring the storm activity in the region, and will be updating this site, the FBC OEM Facebook Page, the FBC OEM Twitter account, and WebEOC.

For more information, contact the Office of Emergency Management via the inquiry form or by emailing oem@co.fort-bend.tx.us.

Let us know where dangerous conditions exist by using your Twitter account.

Tweet @FBCOEM and use one of the following hashtags to report damage, or ask a question:

• #flooding - If you see high water or start to see inland flooding around you.
• #tornado - If you see a funnel cloud, tornado, or rotating wall cloud.
• #hail - If you see hail larger than nickel size.
• #wind - If you see or have experienced severe winds.
• #damage - If you see damage from winds, hail or lightning.
• #debris - If you see debris blocking a road or other right of way
• #powerout - If your power is out.
• #wateroff - If you water pressure is low or turned off.

Don't have any idea what a hashtag is or not sure how they work? No problem! Read more on the Twitter support page.

If tweeting from your GPS-enabled mobile device, be sure to click your "location" button.

If you can't turn on GPS, be sure to include a description of where you are in your tweet (i.e. loc:90 A & 99 or loc:307 Fort Street)

Don't have a Twitter account or a smart phone? If you have text messaging enabled on your phone, text "SIGNUP" to 40404 and follow the prompts. Once signed up, text "follow FBCOEM" to 40404 to start receiving our alerts via SMS. Normal carrier charges may apply for text messaging, but neither we nor Twitter will charge you for the service.

Of course you can feel free to email us at oem@co.fort-bend.tx.us with the same information, or simply submit a report online.

FBC OEM will transmit any severe weather reports to the National Weather Service on your behalf.

As always, tweet safely, and if you feel your life or property is threatened, dial 9-1-1

Got questions about it? Tweet @FBCOEM or e-mail us at oem@co.fort-bend.tx.us.

Note: This information is being published on behalf of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. For more information, please use the contact information at the bottom of this document.

Scholarship awards are available for up to $2,000 per academic year to students who will be attending a four-year college or university program and up to $1,000 per academic year to students enrolling at two-year community/junior colleges or technical schools.

To be eligible for scholarship consideration, applicants must be a graduating high school senior whose parent or legal guardian is a current or honorably retired peace officer, reserve peace officer, correctional officer, emergency medical technician/paramedic, firefighter or 9-1-1 dispatcher serving with a governmental or volunteer emergency response agency within Fort Bend County.

Behind the Badge Charities emerged following the line-of-duty death of Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Deputy J.D. Norsworthy in January, 2011.

“The Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association gave us an opportunity to bring the greatest good from deepest tragedy,” said Detective Robert Williams, who is president of the foundation. “With raw emotion and the endless support of our friends and donors we organized and hosted a benefit fundraiser that was successful beyond our expectations.”

Through that fundraiser, held in March, 2011, the charity was able to establish trust funds for the Norsworthy children and also provided emergency assistance grants for several Sheriff’s Office personnel.

Williams said the foundation wanted to expand the charity’s reach “to be more responsive to all public safety professionals working in Fort Bend County.”

The organization is planning its next fundraiser to coincide with National Police Week , May 12-17, 2012, with the fundraiser scheduled for Friday, May 18 at the Stafford Centre.

“The goal of this year’s fundraiser will be to establish a permanent endowment for scholarships and the Injured Officer Emergency Assistance Fund,” Williams said. “Every day our public safety professionals place themselves in peril to keep our communities safe. This is an opportunity for the community to assist these real life heroes in their moment of need.”

To obtain a scholarship application, visit Behind the Badge Charities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BehindtheBadgeCharities or e-mail: BTBC.scholarship@gmail.com.  Completed applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2012.

To obtain more information about the fundraiser on May 18 or to donate, contact Robert Williams at 281-7035512 or e-mail: BTBC.fundraiser@gmail.com.

Due to the heavy rains in our region today, emergency management officials are urging people to stay home, if possible. If you must travel, use extreme caution and please do not drive through flooded areas; water may be deeper than it appears or roadways may have been washed away.

As of 12 noon on Monday, Jan. 9, the following flooded roads have been reported in the Missouri City area:

• 5th Street at FM1092
• Brightwater Drive at Lexington Boulevard
• Beltway 8 at Fondren Road
• FM 1092 at Lexington Common Street
• Fonmeadow Drive at Fondren Road
• US 90A

CenterPoint is reporting power outages in the Fort Bend area due to high winds, extreme lightning and heavy rain falls. Technicians are working to restore service as soon as possible.

Missouri City Police officers, Firefighters and Public Works crews are monitoring the weather situation and are prepared to respond to all emergencies.

Stacie Walker
Public Information Manager
City of Missouri City
1522 Texas Parkway
Missouri City, Texas 77489
281-403-8530
swalker@missouricitytx.gov

A series of heavy thunderstorms crossed Fort Bend County Monday morning, bringing heavy rains and tornadic activity to the region.

The National Weather Service says the current storm front is only forming single cells, and we should not expect any increase in intensity or coverage, with the weather gradually improving into the afternoon today.

There have been reports of hail, flooding, and tornadoes.

At this time officials are urging people to stay home if possible. If it is necessary to be on the roadways at this time do not drive through flooded areas: Turn Around, Don't Drown. The water may be deeper than it appears or roadways may have been washed away.

Flooding/Flooded Roads have been reported at:

• Williams Way at US 59
• 99 at US 90
• 99 at Mason
• New Territory
• Pecan Grove
• US 90
• Fonmeadow at Fondren
• Beltway 8 at Fondren
• 5th Street at FM1092
• Brightwater at Lexington
• FM 1092 at Lexington Common
• Texas Parkway at South Main

Center Point Energy reports as of 11:15AM, approximately 3,800 customers impacted and without power in the local Fort Bend and Sugar Land area, although at one time up to 11,000 customers were without power. Additional outages are spread throughout the area due to high winds, extreme lightning and heavy rain falls. Crews will be restoring power as safely and efficiently as possible.

Richmond Fire Department has reported high water in the 1100 block of Third Street, Richmond. There is a organized effort by Richmond Fire Department to conduct the boat evacuations in this area. Those who are evacuated will be taken to Greater Power Baptist Church, 6325 FM 2218.

Please continue checking http://www.fbcoem.org and the Fort Bend County OEM's Twitter feed (@fbcoem) for updated information.

On Saturday at 8:00 P.M., Governor Rick Perry extended the disaster declaration originally issued December of last year.

The declaration states that "...record high temperatures, preceded by significantly low rainfall, have resulted in declining reservoir and aquifer levels, threatening water supplies and delivery systems in many parts of the state..."

It does on to state that "...exceptional drought conditions have reached historic levels, posing an imminent threat to public health, property and the economy..."

This declaration further states that "all rules and regulations that may inhibit or prevent prompt response to this threat are suspended," effectively freeing response agencies to respond at a moment's notice to fire danger.

By making this declaration, Governor Perry frees up resources the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management currently controls, such as the Emergency Management Radio Operators Group Radio Communication Trailer, and the Rehab Trailer.

Wildfires in Montgomery, Grimes and Waller Counties burned over the weekend and into this week. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for parts of those counties, and Magnolia ISD schools are closed for Wednesday the 7th.

The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) supported Waller County by contacting fire departments in the Fort Bend, as well as other counties in the region to see if fire resources are available.   Fort Bend County, through its Road and Bridge Department, responded by sending four tanker trucks and a mechanic truck to support the deployed tankers. "We at Fort Bend County are grateful that we have not been directly affected by these fires. We are eager and willing to support our neighbors to the north," said Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert, "We urge our citizens to take every precaution necessary to prevent wildfires here in Fort Bend County."

Both Willowfork and Fulshear-Simonton Fire departments have assisted by responding to Waller County with water tankers.  Many other Fort Bend fire departments have indicated a willingness to send equipment.  The following fire departments have offered equipment which is now in a standby status:  Fairchilds, Orchard, Pecan Grove, Pleak, Stafford, and Sugar Land.  Fort Bend County OEM, through contact with the command posts in Montgomery and Waller counties, determines what resources are needed, and then matches up available equipment with the needs.  “It is clear that fire departments in the Houston metropolitan region are able and willing to assist those impacted in Montgomery and Waller counties,” said Jeff Braun, Fort Bend County Emergency Management Coordinator. “Many fire departments have offered mutual aid assistance.”

In addition to Fort Bend County fire departments, numerous Harris County fire departments have deployed equipment to the fire scene.  Braun indicated that departments from Lake Jackson and Alvin have also indicated a desire to send fire trucks to battle the wildfires.  It is hoped that the need for the fire apparatus will be short-lived.

Several grass fires have occurred in our County and all citizens are reminded that high winds and dry conditions are causing extreme wildfire danger across our region.  Whether living in a rural or suburban area, citizens can protect their homes from the dangers of wildfire by clearing brush and grass away from homes and out-buildings. 

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Fort Bend County is located in the Texas Southeast, immediately South and West of Harris County and the city of Houston. It is the home of over 580,000 people and is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. For more information about Fort Bend County, visit the county homepage at http://www.co.fort-bend.tx.us.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was established to protect the residents and property of Fort Bend County from damage relating to disasters. The OEM accomplishes this through effective planning, preparation, response and recovery. For more information about the Fort Bend County OEM, visit the OEM homepage at http://www.fbcoem.org.

Fort Bend County has been fortunate to not be directly affected by the wildfires this weekend. We appreciate your commitment to fire safety, and will do everything we can to continue to protect your safety and property.

As an largely unaffected county, we have many resources others may need, including assistance with livestock and pets.

As an effort to support others in the region, Fort Bend County OEM has established a Livestock and Sheltering Registration. If you have facilities to transport or shelter livestock, please fill out the form at http://www.fbcoem.org/go/survey/1528/8259/Livestock-and-Sheltering-Registration to let us know.

If your assistance is needed, you will be contacted by someone from our office or from Unified Command.

Thank for for helping our neighbors up north any way you can!