Damage from Imelda Needs to Be Reported, Houston Leaders Say

(TNS) — Houston leaders are urging residents to report any damage to their homes from the remnants of Tropical Storm Imelda so that officials can better assess whether the region will qualify for federal disaster funds.

The storm battered much of southeast Texas last week, and officials from various agencies still are surveying many of the worst-flooded parts of the state. It is not yet clear if the region sustained enough damage for Gov. Greg Abbott to request assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Houston residents who have been affected should report damages to the city’s 311 service line, officials said.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said Wednesday that roughly 800 homes had been affected in the Houston area, though he said that number could reach as high as 1,5000 once final assessments are completed. County officials have reported similar figures.

The mayor and County Judge Lina Hidalgo also are asking for donations to an emergency recovery fund launched last week to provide immediate assistance to affected homeowners. Turner said Wednesday that the fund already has received a $150,000 donation from the grocery chain HEB, as well as an anonymous, $100,000 donation.

robert.downen@chron.com

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