MOVING FORWARD AFTER HURRICANE BERYL

What damage was done across Texas and what resources are available?

It has been just over a week since Hurricane Beryl’s landfall last Monday, July 8, and as residents try to recoup and recover, more resources are becoming available for those affected to receive.

More than 2.5 million Texans lost power in their homes during the storm, leaving eight people dead in Texas and Louisiana. According to NASA, Beryl became the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record in the Atlantic with winds reported at 130 mph by the National Hurricane Center, damaging infrastructure, property, forestry, and agriculture along the way.

Among the more monetary losses from Hurricane Beryl, food insecurity has become an apparent issue. Governor Abbott announced Monday afternoon, July 15, that automatic SNAP benefit replacements would be available for eligible Texans in 18 Counties, Colorado County included. “As affected communities continue to experience flooding and power outages, they will now have their SNAP benefits automatically replaced for food that was lost or destroyed during Hurricane Beryl,” said Governor Abbott. “Eligible Texans in 18 counties will automatically receive their replacement benefits on their Lone Star Card—providing much-needed fresh, quality food for Texas families.”

Property owners will also be looking to file insurance claims on any damage done during the storm as quickly as possible. Sarah Revell, Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, says insurers are “deploying all available resources to help policyholders begin the claims and recovery process” but dependent on their policy, certain damages might not be covered.

“Damage associated with wind and other severe weather is typically covered under a standard homeowners, renters, or business policy,” said Revell. “Water damage to a vehicle is typically covered under an auto policy if the policyholder has purchased comprehensive physical damage coverage. Flood damage to a home is not typically covered under a standard homeowner’s policy. Flood insurance policies may be with the National Flood Insurance Program or possibly with a flood insurer in the private market. If a homeowner does not have flood in- surance, federal disaster assistance may be available in the form of grants or loans if a federal disaster is declared.”

One unlucky Colorado County resident, Riley Watkins, Camp Manager at Camp Oak Haven and a member of the board of directors who own the camp, says the nonprofit organization suffered $75,000 worth of damages to a roof they had already planned on previously replacing, but were unable to get any insurance policies prior to the storm due to the age of the buildings and an unusual pattern he has noticed. He worries that the camp will have to cease operations for the time being due to the roofing, suffering a huge financial blow. “A lot of the insurance companies that ensure commercial profits are backing out of Texas and even our local churches have a hard time finding insurance now,” said Watkins. “But every building here is considered uninsurable because of its age. Our business depends on coming here and making our facility available to others. If we cannot get the roof secured to where it is safe, we are going to have to cancel future groups, and that would be a big crisis. People coming here pays the bills, pays my salary.”

If you, a loved one or anyone you know had damage done to their properties and was affected by the storm, complete the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) form located on https://.damage.tdem.texas. gov. For more information, visit https://tdem.texas.gov/ individuals-family or https:// www.co.colorado.tx.us/