During a special-called meeting July 11, Williamson County commissioners also extended a disaster declaration previously issued by County Judge Steven Snell on July 5, which had a seven-day expiration date.
The action taken
In a unanimous vote at the meeting, commissioners approved up to $200,000 in county-funded vouchers valued at $500 each. Officials signed off on:
- Two vouchers each for 56 destroyed or damaged homes in Williamson County
- Two vouchers for Hope House in Liberty Hill
- 10 vouchers for trash removal services in the city of Liberty Hill
Sorting out details
On July 10, Gov. Greg Abbott requested five counties—including Williamson and Travis counties—be added to the federal major disaster declaration to be eligible for FEMA’s IA program.
Texans can apply to the IA program at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Additional counties may be added as damage assessments are completed in impacted communities, according to a news release from Abbott’s office.
Williamson County Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said the IA program can support people through a variety of programs that get determined after FEMA officials arrive on scene.
According to FEMA’s website, the IA program could help residents with home repairs, temporary housing or property damage. Certain people may qualify for help with child care, medical lodging, moving and funeral expenses.
“It's not by any means replacing insurance, but it does help people with a little boost to get started,” Clements said.
FEMA officials should arrive in Williamson County soon, and officials are hoping to establish two Disaster Resource Centers for residents in Liberty Hill and Georgetown, Clements said. Officials with the U.S. Small Business Administration will be co-located with FEMA at Disaster Resource Centers offering low-interest, 30-year loans to affected people, he said.
Also of note
The Williamson Central Appraisal District will send a postcard to properties that may have been damaged from the floods with information on how to file for temporary disaster-related property tax exemptions, WCAD Chief Appraiser Alvin Lankford said in an email to Community Impact.
In areas the governor declares a disaster, local property tax code allows for qualified properties at least 15% damaged by a disaster to receive a temporary exemption on a portion of the appraised value of the property, according to WCAD’s website.
The deadline to apply for the exemption is 105 days after the governor declares a disaster area, according to WCAD. Abbott approved a disaster declaration in Williamson County on July 5.
One more thing
FEMA also has a Public Assistance program for public property, which provides grants to state, tribal, territorial or local governments and private nonprofits to help communities recover from major disasters, according to FEMA’s website.
Williamson County must establish a $2.8 million threshold of uninsured losses of public infrastructure to be eligible for the PA program, and initial estimates place countywide losses at $34 million, Clements said.
“That includes roads and bridges, water control facilities, utilities, parks and others,” Clements said. “It looks like we have reached that threshold.”
As of July 11, only five counties— Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Menard and San Saba—were approved for FEMA’s PA program, per Abbott’s release. Clements said Williamson County officials are hoping to be included in the federal declaration for the PA program soon.
If or when Williamson County is approved for FEMA’s PA program, county officials will be able to write scopes of work, get budget estimates and begin working through the Texas Division of Emergency Management to receive FEMA funds, Clements said.
If approved, FEMA will pay for up to 75% of the expenses associated with infrastructure damage Williamson County received, he said.
At the Capitol
Abbott is calling on Texas lawmakers to improve the state’s natural disaster preparedness during the upcoming special legislative session beginning July 21, Community Impact previously reported.
During the July 11 Commissioners Court meeting, Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have assembled a committee on disaster preparedness and flooding.
The committee will examine the state’s flood warning systems, flood emergency communications, relief funding for Hill Country floods, natural disaster preparation and recovery, she said.
The first hearing will take place at the state Capitol on July 23, followed by a second hearing in Kerrville, an area hit hardest by floods over the Independence Day weekend.
Harris Davila said she can help residents—in or out of her district—with long-term needs. Harris Davila’s office in Round Rock may be reached at 512-255-6612 or at [email protected].
“I just encourage anybody to reach out to my office,” Harris Davila said. “We’re happy to help.”
What to expect
Three roads in Williamson County remain closed as of the morning of July 11, Senior Director of Infrastructure Bob Daigh said. Roads will close again in the future to allow crews to do permanent repairs, as materials used for emergency fixes from the floods were temporary.
Williamson County Sheriff Lindemann said there is still one missing person in Leander, and county resources were sent to that area July 9 to help with recovery efforts.
