Texas Severe Storms March 23, 2022 - Live and Work Well

Texas Severe Storms
                                        March 23, 2022

Texas Governor Greg Abbott
1100 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-2000
https://gov.texas.gov
https://www.facebook.com/TexasGovernor

Press Release March 23, 2022

Governor Greg Abbott today visited Sherman and Elgin, where he met with local officials from
communities impacted by tornadoes that occurred Monday night. Governor Abbott reaffirmed the State
of Texas’ commitment to ensuring communities affected by these tornadoes have the resources and
support they need to recover and rebuild. The Governor also thanked local officials in Sherman and Elgin,
first responders, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for putting the safety of fellow Texans
before their own and helping their communities over the course of the storms.

"The spirit of resiliency in the Lone Star State shines bright as Texans continue to come together to
support one another in the aftermath of these tornadoes," said Governor Abbott. "Thank you to all first
responders and Texas DPS officers who answered the call Monday night and continue to work tirelessly
to help the communities of Sherman and Elgin navigate response and recovery efforts. I ask Texans join
Cecilia and me in praying for the victims recovering in the hospital in Grayson County, including the loved
ones of Viranda Rodgers who lost her life as a result of the tornado. There is no force of nature more
powerful than Texans helping Texans, and together we will rebuild our state stronger than before."

During his remarks in Sherman, the Governor noted that Texans can text GCTV to 313131 to donate to
Grayson County tornado victims and that local electricity providers in the area are working quickly to
restore electricity for those still without power. During his visit to Elgin, Governor Abbott mentioned the
state's collaboration with Elgin and Bastrop County to clean up debris in the community. Bastrop County
residents may also contact the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management hotline (512-303-4300)
to receive disaster relief assistance.

During two press conferences today, the Governor encouraged Texans in Sherman, Elgin, and other
impacted communities to complete the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s (TDEM) Self
Reporting Damage Survey. This survey will help the state identify damages across Texas and help
emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent
severe weather. This data is also needed to provide information to FEMA to determine the state's
eligibility and highlight the need for federal disaster assistance for individuals. The voluntary survey,
available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by visiting: damage.tdem.texas.gov. Reporting

damage to TDEM is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency,
and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

Yesterday while visiting Jacksboro and Crockett, the Governor issued a disaster declaration for 16
counties impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes which will help jumpstart rebuilding efforts.
Grayson County and Bastrop County are included in this declaration.

Texas Division of Emergency Management
1033 La Posada Dr
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 424-2209
https://www.tdem.texas.gov
https://www.facebook.com/TxDEM
https://twitter.com/TDEM?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Ea
uthor

Press Release – March 22, 2022

AUSTIN - With severe weather ripping through multiple regions of Texas, the Texas Division of
Emergency Management (TDEM) encourages citizens to report damage to property by submitting a
damage assessment survey. Today's severe storms have already produced large hail, damaging winds
and dangerous tornadoes.

Texans can report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool
(iSTAT) damage survey. The information provided in the survey aids emergency management officials
gain an understanding of damages that have occurred and help officials determine if the state meets
federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource
needs.

“By providing details through the iSTAT damage survey, Texans can notify emergency management
officials about the extent of damage sustained during this severe weather event,” said Texas Emergency
Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Texans are encouraged to assist the damage assessment process by
uploading photos and including important details about any losses.”

The iSTAT damage survey can be filled out in English and Spanish online by
visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking on March Severe Weather.

TDEM has published a tutorial video explaining the iSTAT surveys here on the survey landing page.

Reporting damage through the iSTAT tool is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting
damage to your insurance agency. It does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

In addition to activating resources for severe weather, the state of Texas, through TDEM, has deployed
assets in support of wildfires around the state. Wildfire resources for Texans, including the iSTAT survey,
can be accessed on the TDEM website at tdem.texas.gov.

TDEM continues to support local officials’ ongoing response efforts to the severe weather and wildfire
threats utilizing field staff and activating resources through the Texas State Emergency Operations
Center (SOC).

Texas Department of Transportation
124 FM 876
Waxahachie, TX 75467
(972) 938-2960
https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/district/dallas.html
https://www.facebook.com/TxDOT
https://twitter.com/TxDOT

For information about current road conditions and closures, please visit:
https://drivetexas.org
https://www.atxfloods.com/closures

Bastrop County, TX Office of Emergency Management
1501 Business Park Drive
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 581-4022
https://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/page/em.home
https://twitter.com/BastropCntyOEM

Twitter - March 22, 2022
Those residents who suffered damage and loss due to Monday night's severe weather
in Bastrop County may seek local clean up, repair, and other damage assistance by
calling Bastrop Long Term Recovery Team hotline at 512-303-4300 and choose
"damages and assistance for repairs."

Grayson County, TX Office of Emergency Management
100 West Houston, Third Floor
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 813-4217
https://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/oem.home
https://twitter.com/GraysonCounty

Twitter – March 21, 2022
A shelter has been opened at First Baptist Church in Whitesboro for those impacted by
tonight’s storm. First Baptist Whitesboro, CLC Building 124 Center St. Whitesboro, TX
76273

Guadalupe County, TX Office of Emergency Management
101 East Court Street
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 303-8856
https://co.guadalupe.tx.us/em/em.php
https://www.facebook.com/GuadalupeOEM

Facebook – March 22, 2022
As a result of the heavy rains, high winds, and tornado activity that passed through
Guadalupe County on March 21, 2022, Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher is
declaring a disaster proclamation for seven days. At the same time, Guadalupe County
Emergency Management implemented the disaster plan and has begun to conduct
damage assessments and evaluate the extent of the damages.

Facebook – March 21, 2022
If your property, within Guadalupe County, sustained damage from the storms that
moved through the area this afternoon please send an email to
emc@co.guadalupe.tx.us
In the email include the following information and our office will reach out to you.
Name
Address
Phone Number(s)
Insurance Yes/No
Damages
Estimated value of damage

Madison County, TX Office of Emergency Management
101 West Main Street, Suite B-13
Madisonville, TX 77864
(936) 348-3810
https://www.co.madison.tx.us

Posted on main page -
The American Red Cross has opened a Multi-Agency Resource Center at the First
Baptist Church in Madisonville to assist only those families with damages to their
homes. Victims may call 1-800-RED-CROSS to sign up for aid

Marion County, TX
Marion County Courthouse
102 West Austin
Jefferson, TX 75657
(903) 665-3261
https://www.co.marion.tx.us

March 21, 2022, Marion County filed a disaster declaration. Please visit the link for more
information

https://newtools.cira.state.tx.us/upload/page/1263/Disaster%20Declaration%20For%20
Marion%20County%203-2022.pdf.

Rusk County, TX
Rusk County Courthouse
115 North Main
Henderson, TX 75652
https://www.co.rusk.tx.us

March 22, 2022, Rusk County filed a disaster declaration. Please visit the link for more
information
https://www.co.rusk.tx.us/upload/page/2770/docs/Disaster%20Declaration.pdf.

Upshur County, TX
100 West Tyler
Gilmer, TX 75644
https://www.countyofupshur.com

For information on lost and found items, please visit the link
https://www.countyofupshur.com/page/STORM%20DISASTER%20INFORMATION

March 21, 2022, Upshur County filed a disaster declaration. Please visit the link for
more information
https://www.countyofupshur.com/page/open/1299/0/Disaster%20Declaration%2003-
2022.pdf.

Williamson County, TX Office of Emergency Management
911 Tracy Chambers Lane
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1100
https://www.wilco.org
https://www.wilco.org/Departments/Emergency-Management
https://twitter.com/PreparingWilCo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://www.facebook.com/preparingwilco

For the latest information on tornado resources, please visit
https://www.wilco.org/resources-for-march-21-tornadoes.

American Red Cross North Texas Region
East Texas Chapter
320 East Rieck Road
Tyler, TX 75711
(903) 581-7981
https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/north-texas/about-us/locations/east-texas.html
https://www.facebook.com/redcross
https://twitter.com/redcross

Northeast Texas Chapter
821 Spruce Street
Texarkana, TX 75501
(903) 793-5602
https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/north-texas/about-us/locations/northeast-texas-
area.html

       Open Shelters:

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-
shelter.html

United Way/211 Information and Referrals Lines
These information and referral lines may know of additional resources currently
providing assistance, such as food pantries, clothing closets, emergency shelters, and
agencies offering financial assistance. Please call and provide your zip code and
demographic information in order to receive referrals.

211 Texas
Dial 211 or (877) 541-7905
https://www.211texas.org
https://www.facebook.com/pg/211TexasACallForHelp

NATIONAL RESOURCES:

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
(800) 621-3362
http://www.fema.gov
Please visit the website and click on “Disaster Declarations”. If a disaster is declared,
please call to apply for assistance by phone, or visit http://www.fema.gov/apply-
assistance to apply online.

DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV
https://www.disasterassistance.gov
Offers information about local resources for disasters, including: FEMA Disaster
Recovery Centers (DRCs), Red Cross, food, shelter, state emergency management
agencies, and hospital locators.
To determine if individual disaster assistance is available through FEMA, please visit
the website and enter the address.
To locate your local state emergency management agency for disaster information and
updates, please visit http://www.fema.gov/emergency-management-agencies

AMERICAN RED CROSS NATIONAL
National Headquarters
2025 East Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 303-4498 or (800) 733-2767
http://www.redcross.org
Please call or visit the website to locate your local chapter and open shelters.

AMERICAN RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL LIST
https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php
Residents affected can notify their friends and family that they are safe by visiting the
website and selecting “List Myself as Safe and Well.” Individuals can also search for
loved ones by selecting “Search Registrants.”

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Weather alerts by state are available at http://www.weather.gov/alerts.

THE WEATHER CHANNEL
Local forecasts and severe weather alerts, available at http://www.weather.com.

NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo

SAFE TRAVEL USA
http://www.safetravelusa.com

Free Help Line:

Optum, a leading health and behavioral health services company, is offering a free
emotional-support help line.

The toll-free number, 866-447-3573, will be open Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm CST. The
service is free of charge and open to anyone. Specially trained Optum mental health
specialists help people manage their stress and anxiety so they can continue to address
their everyday needs. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help
them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.