From the desk of Dale Olson, Executive Director of Family Hope

Friends, the work of returning to the homes and taking out sheetrock and furniture has begun.  Although the stories are filled with sadness, the spirit is amazing.  As one person said tonight:  “We’re blessed.”  The groups of men who are helping the seniors and others have helped so many already.  Thanks to all the volunteers.  You’re the best!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
…Fort Bend County Social Services will be available to meet at Simonton Church from 1 – 4 pm Thursday, June 9th.  Please use these services.  Many need to begin this process.
…Dinners continue at Simonton Church, 6-8 pm all weekend, Friday –Sunday.
…Saturday, June 11th, all affected by the flood waters are invited to River Bend Church (27600 FM 1093, Fulshear) for BREAKFAST…compliments of Chic-Fil-A and others.  Also, fresh fruits and vegetables given away.  County Social Services will be available for visits.
…Greatest need now:  Give a cash donation, credit card online at FamilyHopeFulshear.org or Simontonchurch.org or Prosperity Bank, 9610 Spring Green, Katy is accepting donations made to:  Fulshear Outreach & Development.
…Gift Cards are needed:  Home Depot and Walmart.

Words to live by:  “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration but its donation.”  (Corrie Ten Boom)

With Gratitude.
Dale Olson, Executive Director
Family Hope

Fort Bend County Officials Implementing Long-term Recovery Efforts

Posted June 8, 2016 5:30:55 PM CDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PARA PUBLICACION INMEDIATA

Fort Bend County, TX – Fort Bend County officials are planning long-term flood recovery efforts and have begun coordinating with the county departments and voluntary agencies involved In recovery. Personnel are currently conducting flood damage assessments and evaluating closed roads as water levels recede.  Numerous previously closed roadways have reopened.

Contractors will be picking up debris starting Monday, June 13^th through June 24^th.

Residents are encouraged to separate debris by kind and pile as close to the road as possible without impeding traffic or blocking fire hydrants and meters.

Please do not relocate deceased animals to roadways, they will not be retrieved. Fort Bend County has a strategic plan in place to address environmental hazards during the recovery process. For further information about the handling of debris, including deceased animals, please call the Emergency Operations Center at 281-342-6185.

Household trash service has resumed in most areas however residents are encouraged to contact their provider to ensure service has resumed.

Residents may apply for FEMA assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Residents requiring immediate assistance with disaster clean-up should call the Clean Up Assistance hotline at 1-800-451-1954. Residents unaffected by the floods and wishing to volunteer may visit the Brazos River Flood Multi-Agency Recovery Center located at BF Terry High School in Rosenberg.

Donation receiving and distribution sites have been established throughout the county and monetary donations are currently being managed by the American Red Cross. Residents and businesses wishing to donate manpower, money, or materials should reference the “How can I help?” page on the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management’s website or by calling the Emergency Operations Center at 281-342-6185.

For more information about what to do next, how to get help, or how to offer help, plus the most accurate and up to date flood and recovery information, please visit fbcoem.org website or call 281-342-6185.

Las oficiales del Condado de Fort Bend están planificando esfuerzos para una recuperación a largo plazo de la inundación y han empezado a coordinar con los otros departamentos del condado y agencias voluntarias que ayudan con la recuperación. Los empleados están haciendo evaluaciones de los daños de la inundación y están evaluando la calles cerradas mientras que el agua se aleje. Varias calles que estaban cerradas ya están abiertas.

Unos contratores van a recoger los escombros empezando el lunes, 13 de Junio hasta el 24 de Junio.

Se recomienda a los residentes que separan los escombros por tipo y que lo pongan en grupos lo más cerca a la calle que sea posible sin estorbar el tráfico,  los metros eléctricos o las bocas de incendios.

Favor de no mover los animales muertos a las calles; no se los van a recoger. El Condado de Fort Bend tiene un plan para tratar con los peligros ambiental durante la recuperación. Para más información tratando de los escombros, incluyendo los animales muertos, favor de llamar al Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia al 281.342.6185.

El servicio de recoger la basura de las casas se empezó otra vez, pero los residentes deben de llamar a su propio proveedor de servicio para asegurarse.

Los residentes pueden registrarse para ayuda de FEMA a www.disasterassistance.gov o por llamar al 1.800.621.3362. Los residentes que requieren asistencia inmediata con limpiar del desastre deben de llamar al número de “Clean Up Assistance” (Asistencia de Limpiar) al 1.800.451.1954. Los residentes que no estuvieron afectado por las inundaciones que quieren ayudar pueden ir al Centro de Inundaciones del Río Brazos localizado en la escuela BF Terry High School en Rosenberg.

Sitios para recibir y distribuir las donaciones han estado establecido por todo el condado y La Cruz Roja se encargó de las donaciones monetarias. Los residentes y los negocios que quieren donar a su tiempo, dinero, o materiales deben de leer la informacion en la pagina “How can I help?” en el sitio de www.fbcoem.org o llamar al 281.342.6185.

Para mas informacion sobre los pasos que vienen, como agarrar ayuda, o como ofrecer a ayudar, tambien para la informacion mas corriente de la recuperacion, favor de visitar www.fbcoem.org o llamar al 281.342.6185.

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 715,000 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.fortbendcountytx.gov.

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.

El Condado de Fort Bend está situado en Texas Suroeste, inmediatamente al Sur y al Oeste del Condado de Harris y la ciudad de Houston. En cuál es el hogar de más de 715,000 y es uno de los condados de más rápido crecimiento en los Estados Unidos. Para más información del Condado de Fort Bend por favor de visitar http://fortbendcountytx.gov.

El Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia  (EMO) se establecio para protégé los recidentes y propiedad del Condado de Fort Bend daños relacionados con desastres. El OEM logra esto a través de una planificación, preparación, respuesta y recuperación.

Para más informacion visite el Condado de Fort Bend OEM http://www.fbcoem.org.

The Fulshear-Simonton Volunteer Fire Department Water truck will be parked across from the post office today from 12:30p-5:00p. Please remember this is non-potable water, it is for washing not drinking!

The last rounds of tetanus booster shots will be available tomorrow, free of charge, at Simonton Community Church from 12p-4p for anyone in the community(volunteers, residents, etc.)over the age of 19 years.

The county has confirmed they will be doing the first debris pick up on Monday. All debris must be brought out to the street side (please do NOT block the street) and separated according to the debris separation guidelines ( fbcoem.org )

Simonton Community Church has extended serving dinners until next Thursday, June 16th. Dinner will be served from 6-8 pm.

Reminder About the Hazards of Our

Flooded Environment

Please take caution and keep children, teens and elderly away from the flood waters and the houses that have flood damage. Limit your contact with the flood water by wearing masks, gloves and boots. Do not drink or wash with water from the flooded well until it is tested and safe to use.

Boiling water information, to kill all major water-borne bacterial pathogens, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 full minute.

Flood water may have high levels of raw sewage and other hazardous substances. Early symptoms from exposure to contaminated flood water may include upset stomach, intestinal problems, headache, and other flu-like discomfort. Anyone experiencing these and any other problems should immediately seek medical attention.

Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. If you have a home based or small business and your septic has received chemicals, take extra precautions to prevent contact with water or inhaling fumes. Proper clean-up depends on the kinds of chemicals in the waste water.

Mold can cause serious health problems. The key to mold control is moisture control. After the flood, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24-48 hours.

Help for those that need assistance cleaning up is available. Please go to Simonton Community Church to fill out the request form. Texas Baptist Men and Christian Aid Ministries will be available to assist residents with cleaning, demo, etc. Forms will also be available during dinners this week from 6-8 pm.

WATER WELL TEST KIT DROP OFF

Fulshear City Hall will continue to be a drop off point for water testing kits next week as well. Residents can drop off water samples and forms at Fulshear City Hall Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 12pm.

Fort Bend Social Services will be at Simonton Community Church tomorrow, Thursday June 9th from 1-4 pm.

 The County confirmed they will be spraying for mosquitos tonight in Valley Lodge.

Some good information from the county regarding disaster declaration:

Posted June 5, 2016 6:59:06 PM CDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PARA PUBLICACION INMEDIATA

Fort Bend County, TX – As Fort Bend County (FBC) officials plan the long term recovery process, residents need to be aware that a majority of the disaster recovery planning is contingent upon confirmation of FEMA’s disaster declaration for FBC. Federal disaster declarations require comprehensive damage assessments which take time to accurately survey due to the large numbers of properties involved and limited access from slowly receding flood waters. However, residents can begin the recovery process by pre-registering for disaster relief at disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362. Residents are also encouraged to go to the FBC Office of Emergency Management (OEM) website at http://www.fbcoem.org/ to report damage on the provided residential report form. This form does not ensure reimbursement, but it helps FBC officials assess countywide damage estimates which helps with the disaster declaration determination.

For insurance purposes, residents should consider taking photos depicting the degree of flood damage and personal property loses. Photos highlighting waterlines and comparing damaged to undamaged property are desirable. Residents are also cautioned not to begin demolition projects prior to consulting your insurance agent.

Debris removal planning should follow proper guidelines outlined on the FBC OEM website which call for separate debris classifications for normal household trash, hazardous waste, appliances, electronics, vegetative debris, and construction/demolition debris. Residents are also reminded to try and locate debris piles as close to the curb as possible while still maintaining open roadway access.

Any residents in need of immediate flood recovery assistance can obtain help by calling the Greater Houston United Way Help Line at 211 where trained operators can help guide you to the appropriate resource by accessing an expansive database of recovery organizations.

For the most accurate and up to date information, please visit www.fbcoem.org website or call 281-342-6185.

CONDADO DE FORT BEND SUPERVISA DAÑOS POR INUNDACIONES Y COMIENZA ESFUERZO DE RECUPERACION

Condado de Fort Bend, TX – Como Condado de Fort Bend (FBC) las autoridades planean el proceso de recuperación a largo plazo, los residentes tienen que ser conscientes de que una mayor parte de la planificación de recuperación de desastres está condicionada a la confirmación de la declaración de desastre de FEMA para FBC. Declaraciones federales de desastre requieren evaluaciones completas que toman tiempo para estudiar con precisión debido a la gran cantidad de propiedades involucradas y el acceso limitado por las aguas de inundación. Sin embargo, los residentes pueden comenzar el proceso de recuperación por la pre – registración para el alivio de desastres en la página de web disasterassistance.gov o llamando al 1-800-621-3362. También se anima a los residentes ir a la Oficina de FBC sitio web Manejo de Emergencias (OEM) por http://www.fbcoem.org/ para reportar sus daños en el formulario de informe proporcionado residencial. Este formulario no garantiza el reembolso, pero ayuda a los funcionarios FBC evaluar las estimaciones de daños en todo el condado que ayuda con la determinación de la declaración de desastre.

Para efectos del seguro, los residentes deben considerar tomar fotos que muestran el grado de daños de las inundaciones y la propiedad personal. Fotos destacando las líneas de agua y comparando lo dañado y lo que no fue dañado a la propiedad son deseables. Los residentes también están advertidos de no iniciar proyectos de demolición antes de consultar con su agente de seguros.

Los escombros de planificación de mudanzas debe de seguir las pautas correctas que se detallan en el sitio web FBC OEM que exigen clasificaciones separadas de escombros para la basura normal del hogar, residuos peligrosos, electrodomésticos, electrónicos, y escombros de construcción/demolición. También se recuerda a los residentes de por favor  tratar de localizar las pilas de escombros tan cerca de la acera como sea posible, manteniendo el acceso de la carretera abierta.

Cualquier residente que necesita asistencia inmediata para recuperación de las inundaciones pueden obtener ayuda llamando a la Línea de Ayuda de Houston United Way al 211, operadores entrenados pueden ayudarle al guiar al recurso adecuado de organizaciones de recuperación.

Para información más exacta y actualizada, visite la página web www.fbcoem.org o llame al 281-342-6185.