May 17, 2024 by Ashley Norris
East Texas Flooding and Severe Storms: Immediate Steps for Safety and Recovery
Topic
Disaster Recovery
Recent weeks have brought devastating storms and severe flooding to East Texas, affecting 88 counties. The impact has been profound, with many schools closed, widespread road closures, and extensive power outages. Residents are in urgent need of temporary shelter and housing assistance.
To make matters worse, residents of the Greater Houston area and Southeast Texas endured severe storms on May 16, 2024. The powerful storm system brought high winds, power outages, and significant damage, with wind gusts reaching up to 74 mph. This has compounded the need for disaster recovery services and resources in the region.
From the May 16 storm, damage assessments are ongoing, and roadways are being cleared of debris by county and city crews. CenterPoint Energy is working to restore power, with 1,500 mutual assistance crews arriving to aid the efforts. Power restoration is expected to be more challenging and prolonged for areas dependent on the downed transmission lines.
How to Proceed
Residents should take the following actions in response to the storm’s aftermath:
- Keep up with updates from local authorities, the National Weather Service, and CenterPoint Energy for the latest information on power restoration and safety advisories.
- Stay away from downtown Houston and other areas with significant debris, broken glass, and downed power lines until officials declare them safe.
- Adhere to road closure signs and avoid traveling through heavily damaged zones.
- Follow the advice of Mayor John Whitmire and other officials to remain at home to avoid hazards and allow emergency crews to work more efficiently.
- Charge essential electronic devices and have a battery-powered radio for updates.
- Stock up on necessary supplies such as water, non-perishable food, medications, and batteries.
- Consider alternative power sources like generators, but use them safely according to manufacturer guidelines.
- If you see downed power lines, report them immediately to CenterPoint Energy or local authorities.
- Do not approach or touch any downed lines as they may still be live and extremely dangerous.
- Check on elderly neighbors or those with special needs to ensure they have the supplies and assistance they need.
- Offer help if it is safe and feasible to do so.
- Use caution when cleaning up debris around your property to avoid injury.
- Wear protective gear such as gloves, sturdy shoes, and safety glasses.
- Limit the use of water and other utilities if advised by local authorities, as infrastructure might be compromised.
Storm Shelter and Resource Maps
- Ready Harris
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Red Cross
- Houston Food Bank
- Houston TranStar Traffic and High Water
- CenterPoint Power Outages
Legal Aid
If you have survived a disaster and require legal assistance, you can apply for free legal assistance by calling our disaster hotline at 1-866-659-0666 or applying online.
We can help with the following:
- Replacing papers lost during the disaster
- Home-repair contracts and contractors
- Problems with landlords
- Proof of home ownership for available disaster assistance
Disaster Recovery Flyers
Here is a list of comprehensive resources to help on your journey to disaster recovery:
- Avoid Home Repair Fraud (English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
- Renter’s Rights After a Disaster (English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
- Insurance Steps (English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
- Replacing Lost Documents (English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
- State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry
- Checking Your Home: Structural Elements
- Checking Your Home: Utilities, Systems & Household Items
- Recovering Emotionally After a Disaster
- Financial Recovery After a Disaster
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. LSLA focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety, stability, health, and wellbeing; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, the aging, survivors of crime and disasters, the unemployed and underemployed, the unhoused, those with limited English language skills, and the LGBTQIA+ community. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
