Emergency Preparedness Resources

Federal Recovery Resources: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Disaster recovery resources may be available from the federal government when there is a large-scale emergency or disaster. Examples of large-scale emergencies include Hurricane Harvey and the winter storms of February 2021 and 2023 in Austin. 

Individual and Household Assistance 

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Learn more about FEMA Individual and Household Assistance. 

Business and Individual Assistance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. Businesses of all sizes located in declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by declared disasters, including civil unrest and natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires may qualify. Learn more about the types of disaster loans and how to apply. 

Public Assistance 

Public Assistance is not individual or business reimbursement. FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. A local government is expected to use its own resources before requesting assistance. Currently, the threshold for the State of Texas to qualify for Public Assistance is $53.6 million in uninsured, qualifying disaster damages, and the threshold for Travis County to qualify for Public Assistance is $5.7 million in damages reported. These thresholds are based on the annual consumer price index and the last official census population. Jurisdictions are reimbursed a percentage, or portion, of total eligible costs. Learn more about FEMA Public Assistance.

State Recovery Resources: Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates the state emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters. Once a Major Disaster Declaration is approved by the President, TDEM serves as the pass through agency to administer federal funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. 

Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT)

Texans can self-report damage to impacted residences or businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). iSTAT is a damage assessment tool used to gather information that assists officials in understanding the scope and size of  an incident. Sharing pertinent details and photos of damages assists emergency management officials in quickly determining the severity of a disaster and whether federal assistance thresholds are met.

Additionally, the iSTAT data is used to determine the need for a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) with local, state, and federal partners to confirm the level of damages and to facilitate any potential funding that may be available depending on the disaster.

The information provided by Texans in the iSTAT surveys aids emergency management officials in gaining an understanding of damages that have occurred and helps officials determine if the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate needs for resources. 

After a disaster, residents or business owners should submit damages online using the self-reporting survey.