What Storm Survivors Should Do After the Registration Deadline Has Passed
While the disaster assistance registration deadline has passed, there is still help available for survivors of February’s severe winter storms in Texas. Survivors are part of the whole community effort. The steps they take on their road to recovery and the decisions they make are very important.
Survivors may do the following:
Stay in Touch with FEMA — If you registered for disaster assistance following the February severe winter storms, stay in touch with FEMA. The easiest way to update your application, check your status or provide missing information is to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT daily.
Call 2-1-1 for Unmet Needs — 2-1-1 Texas is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or 877-541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community including help finding food or housing, childcare, crisis counseling or substance-abuse treatment.
Contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — HUD offers programs to assist both homeowners and renters. Visit HUD online or call the Federal Housing Authority Resource Center at 800- 225-5342.
Follow Up on Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loans — If you applied for an SBA loan after the disaster declaration and want to follow up or have any questions about your loan, call the SBA at 800-659- 2955 (TTY:800-877-8339) or visit www.sba.gov/disaster.
Appeal FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Determination Letter — If you are found to be ineligible for disaster assistance following the winter storms, or you feel the award amount is insufficient, you have the right to an appeal. Carefully read your determination letter to understand why the decision was made and how you can receive the assistance you need. For more information, you may contact the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
Disaster Distress Support — Survivors can call and speak to a trained professional who can help them cope with anxiety or stress and guide them to available resources. This multilingual, confidential crisis support service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-985-5990 (TTY: 800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs (Spanish speakers, text Hablanos) to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Hazard Mitigation Information — For information and resources on mitigation issues, survivors may visit https://fema.connectsolutions.com/txmit and https://fema.connectsolutions.com/tx-es-mit. Survivors also may call mitigation outreach specialists at 833-FEMA-4-US or 833-336-2487 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, for help and information on repairing and rebuilding.
Tax Filing Extension — The Internal Revenue Service has announced that survivors of the Texas winter storms will receive automatic extensions on their tax filing deadlines beyond the May 17 extended deadline. They now have until June 15 to file their returns.
If you don’t have internet access or need services not found on the website, you may call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT daily to:
Add or change household members and number of occupants
Update contact preferences (mail, email, text, etc.)
Update payment preference
Notify FEMA of a change in your current address
Correct or verify home and property damage
Callers should refer to their nine-digit registration number, which can be found on all communications from FEMA.
HOUSTON, TX TO SERVE AS VACCINE SITE FOR PAN AMERICAN OLYMPIANS
The City of Houston has stepped up to support the Olympic movement, ensuring Pan American athletes have the opportunity to be vaccinated prior to the Tokyo Games this July. In partnership with the United State Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, the City of Houston announced today plans to work with Panam Sports to ensure their accredited athletes, delegates, and officials can get vaccinated before heading to Toyko for the Games. Panam Sports is the international organization that represents the 41 National Olympic Committees of the Americas.
“We are happy to partner with our colleagues at Panam Sports and great friends in Houston to make vaccinations available to as many Tokyo-bound Panam athletes and officials as possible,” said Susanne Lyons, USOPC chair. “The commitment of the Olympic and Paralympic movements to honor the health of the athletes, delegations members and people of Japan – and to move opportunities like this one in Houston from idea to reality very quickly – is a testament to the power of this global community. We wish all a healthy and successful Tokyo Games.”
Athletes and delegation members could begin arriving as early as the first week of June and will continue through mid-July, using one of Houston’s two international airports. Some may decide to stay for training, and others will leave for Tokyo directly from Houston. Athletes, delegates, and officials already qualified or accredited for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Cali 2021 Junior Pan American Games will be eligible. Their airfare will be paid for by Panam Sports.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is supplying the vaccine doses that will be distributed to the athletes with help from the City of Houston.
“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best tool there is to save lives during the pandemic. The City of Houston is proud to team up with Panam Sports and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee to provide vaccinations to athletes, delegates and officials. We are honored to participate in the process and support these champions as they prepare to compete in the Olympics and Junior Pan American Games,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
HOUSTON, TX TO SERVE AS VACCINE SITE FOR PAN AMERICAN OLYMPIANS
The goal is to allow as many athletes as possible the opportunity to receive their vaccination before the Olympics and Junior Pan American Games. Depending on how many athletes decide to travel for their vaccine, Houston could be looking at giving Johnson & Johnson vaccines to as many as 2,500 delegates.
“Houston has done an amazing job of distributing vaccines, and with two international airports, it only made sense when asked if we could help, that we would try to find a way,” said Janis Burke, CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. “Some of these elite athletes haven’t been able to gain access to vaccinations in their own countries. In order to reduce their risk and help ease the minds of all involved, we wanted to assist our neighboring countries where needed. What a shame it would be for an athlete that has worked their entire life for the shot of participating in the Olympics, only to get this far and not be able to attend in Tokyo. After all, the Spirit of Olympism is to provide friendship and fair play through sport, and we know that the world could use more of these elements right now.”
About the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority
The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority maintains the facilities and services the debt of the world-class, professional sports venues it was created to build. To support this primary mission, Houston Sports serves as a leading proponent for attracting sporting events to Houston and for promoting the city as a home for sports- related activities to ultimately enhance Houston’s economic development and bring a better quality of life for its residents. Houston Sports also created the annual Houston Sports Awards to honor the area’s outstanding athletes. www.HoustonSports.org
#WeAreHoustonSports
A Year After George Floyd’s Death: It’s Time to Turn Rhetoric into Meaningful Change
|
Advertencia de inundación repentina para el Condado Harris hasta las 3:45 p.m.
El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología ha emitido una advertencia de inundación repentina para el Condado Harris hasta las 3:45 p.m. de esta tarde. Una advertencia de inundación repentina significa que la inundación está ocurriendo u ocurrirá pronto.
Algunas áreas del condado han recibido hasta 4 pulgadas de lluvia desde esta mañana. Por lo que se han reportado numerosos informes de calles y carreteras inundadas y es probable que las lluvias adicionales empeoren las condiciones hasta la tarde.
Se le aconseja a los residentes tener precaución al conducir. Recuerde, nunca conduzca por carreteras, intersecciones o pasos subterráneos inundados ¡Aguas, no se ahogue!
Para las condiciones de tráfico, consulte Houston TranStar con la última información de las autopistas y calles viales.
Monitoreé los medios locales para conocer las actualizaciones meteorológicas.
También, para obtener más información sobre los acumulados de lluvia y las condiciones de los bayous estas están disponibles a través del Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System
Puede encontrar enlaces a estos y otros recursos en ReadyHarris.org .
Flash Flood Warning for Harris County Until 3:45 PM
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Harris County until 3:45 p.m. today.
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is or will be occurring soon.
Areas of the county have received up to 4 inches of rain since this morning. There have been numerous reports of flooded streets and highways. Additional rainfall will likely worsen these conditions through mid-afternoon.
Residents are urged to use caution when driving. Never drive into flooded roadways, intersections, or underpasses. Remember: Turn Around Don’t Drown. Check Houston TranStar for road conditions and traffic information.
Monitor local media for weather updates.
Rainfall amounts and bayou conditions are available through the Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System.
You can find links to these and other resources at ReadyHarris.org
Texans offseason program Phase 3 begins May 24
The third phase of the Houston Texans’ offseason workout program starts Monday, May 24.
The phase includes 10 organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp that concludes the offseason program on June 15-17.
Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair told reporters on May 22 during the Texans Care Volunteer Day at the Harvard branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Houston that he is pleased with the way the team is coming together after meeting with coach David Culley and general manager Nick Caserio.
“I had a great meeting with Nick and coach, and we’re excited about the turnout (of players), how the team’s coming together, and where it’s going,” McNair said. “The players are excited about it (offseason program). The program’s voluntary. None of them have to (participate), but I think one reason they are is that they want to see what this staff is putting our team together.”
The Texans need every opportunity available to form cohesion as they seek to rebound from a 4-12 record and a third-place finish in the AFC South in 2020.
Source: texanswire.usatoday.com
Houston Health Department, Partners Announce Free COVID-19 Testing Schedule For Week Of May 24
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners are announcing the schedule for sites offering free COVID-19 tests the week of May 24, 2021. Twenty-five FREE+FAST+SAFE testing sites across Houston are on the schedule for the week.
Houston Health Department Fixed Sites
The department will offer to drive thru or walk-up testing via mouth self-swab at three fixed sites. The sites, open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., are:
- Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.,
- Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol St., and
- Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center, 3810 Fuqua St.
The department offers drive-thru testing via nasal self-swab at Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr., on Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The fixed sites do not require appointments.
Houston Health Department Pop-up Sites
Three departments will offer drive-thru and walk-up via nose self-swab testing at two pop-up sites open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pop-up sites do not require appointments and are located at:
- Eastwood Community Center, 5020 Harrisburg Blvd.,
- Meadowcreek Community Center, 5333 Berry Creek Dr.
- Berean Christian Church, 2210 Bronson St.
The department will also provide drive-thru, self-nasal swab testing at the METRO Addicks Park & Ride, 14230 Katy Freeway. Appointments are available by calling the department’s call center at 832-393-4220 but are not required.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Division of Emergency Management offers oral self-swab testing at Lot H Downtown, 1643 Memorial Dr. This is a new location near Fonde Community Center that replaces the previous site near Minute Maid Park.
The site is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Appointments are available at curative.com. On-site registration is also available.
TDEM and the department will also operate drive-thru sites offering tests Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at:
- HCC – Northeast Campus, 555 Community College Drive, self-mouth swab, and
- HCC – South Campus, 1990 Airport Blvd., nasal swab by healthcare professionals.
TDEM and the department offer drive-thru, nasal-swab tests administered by healthcare professionals at LeRoy Crump Stadium, 12321 Alief Clodine Rd. The site is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments for TDEM sites are available at covidtest.tdem.texas.gov. On-site registration is also available.
United Memorial Medical Center
United Memorial Medical Center will offer nasal-swab testing by healthcare professionals at drive-thru test sites at:
- PlazAmericas Mall, 7500 Bellaire Blvd.
- Houston Community College – Southeast, 6815 Rustic St.; Building B, and
- UMMC Tidwell, 510 W. Tidwell Rd.
The sites don’t require appointments and will offer to test Monday through Friday (PlazAmericas is also open Saturday) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
People needing information about UMMC test sites can call 1-866-333-COVID or visit ummcscreening.com.
Curative
Curative will provide walk-up testing daily at:
- University of St. Thomas, 3800 Montrose Blvd., shallow nose self-swab, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Memorial Park Conservancy, 1153 E. Memorial Loop Dr., mouth self-swab, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
- Miller Outdoor Theater, 6000 Hermann Park Dr., mouth self-swab, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
- Houston Metro West, 11555 Westpark Dr., mouth self-swab, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
- Houston Metro Kashmere, 5700 Eastex Fwy., mouth self-swab, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and
- Houston Metro Fallbrook, 111 Fallbrook Dr., mouth self-swab, 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
- Jester Village Shopping Center, 1501 W. 18th St., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Orange Grove Parking Lot, 11510 Gulf Freeway, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Northshore Shopping Center, 1238 Uvalde Rd., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Northshore Parking Lot, 13343 East Freeway, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- University of Houston Downtown, 201 Girard St., Monday through Friday (starting May 26), 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Appointments are available at curative.com and on-site registration is available.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
The health department is providing test kits, lab access, and equipment to local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) so they can expand their COVID-19 testing capacity. The centers and phone numbers people can call to set up testing appointments are:
- HOPE Clinic, 713-773-0803,
- Spring Branch Community Health Center, 713-462-6565,
- El Centro de Corazon, 713-660-1880,
- Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, 713-426-0027,
- Lone Star Circle of Care at the University of Houston, 346-348-1200, and
- Scarsdale Family Health Center, 281-824-1480.
FQHC patients pay what they can afford, based on income and family size, and are not denied services due to inability to pay or lack of insurance.
The department and its agency partners may shift locations and schedules of test sites to better meet community needs. Houstonians can visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for current Houston testing sites and information about stopping the spread of the virus.
Information obtained through testing, treatment, or services will not be used against immigrants in their public charge evaluation.
Source: www.houstontx.gov/
Shell to sell interest in Deer Park refinery to partner Pemex
Shell Oil Company, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, has reached an agreement for the sale of its interest in Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership, a 50-50 joint venture between Shell Oil Company and P.M.I. Norteamerica, S.A. De C.V. (a subsidiary of Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex). The transaction will transfer Shell’s interest in the partnership, and therefore full ownership of the refinery, to Pemex, subject to regulatory approvals.
“Shell did not plan to market its interest in the Deer Park refinery; however, following an unsolicited offer from Pemex, we have reached an agreement to transfer our interest in the partnership to them,” said Huibert Vigevano, Shell’s Downstream Director. “Pemex has been our strong and active partner at the Deer Park Refinery for nearly 30 years, and we will continue to work with them in an integrated way, including through our on-site chemicals facility, which Shell will retain. Above all, we remain committed to the wellbeing of our employees and will work closely with Pemex to ensure the continued prioritization of safe operations. We’re proud of our 90-plus year history as an operator and neighbor at Deer Park and we will continue to play an active role in the community”.
The consideration for this transaction is $596 million which is a combination of cash and debt, plus the value of hydrocarbon inventory. This transaction allows Shell to further focus its refining footprint while also maintaining integration optionality and retaining value through its Chemicals and Trading activities.
The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2021.
Source: www.shell.com
Governor Abbott Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of The Texas Film Commission
Governor Greg Abbott today congratulated the Texas Film Commission (TFC) on its 50th anniversary of service to the state. Created in 1971 to encourage the development of the film industry in Texas, the TFC has since helped to grow local jobs and economies by promoting the Lone Star State as the premier destination for film, television, commercial, animation, visual effects, video game, and extended reality (XR) production.
“Texas has developed into such a vibrant destination for production across all media that the promise and potential recognized 50 years ago has been more than realized,” said Governor Abbott. “As we look to the future, I am certain that TFC will take lessons from, but not be limited by, the past 50 years and use these lessons to connect even more industry creatives and communities, to share even more of Texas’ treasures, and to help even more local economies to grow.”
“It is with Giant excitement, clear eyes, and full hearts that the Texas Film Commission looks to a Perfect World where we are more fully equipped to support our media production industries than ever before,” said Stephanie Whallon, Director, Texas Film Commission. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts expended over the past 50 years by all who have passed through our Office Space; they continue to hold special Places In The Heart.
“We look forward to increased production opportunities in towns and cities, like Paris, Texas, and Dallas, and across the state. We will continue to create jobs for our Urban Cowboy(s), Lonesome Dove(s), Hellion(s), and all the media professionals in between who continue to demonstrate True Grit in the fearless telling of Texas stories.
“As the lines and Borderlands between film, television, animation, video games, XR, and more continue to converge, the Texas Film Commission will continue to grow and evolve to be the Best Little Resource for media production in Texas. For filmmakers, developers, actors, writers, coders, editors, testers, and all of our promising creatives, the future shall be big and bright in the Lone Star State. We are honored and humbled to have been granted 50 years to help cultivate support, and share in your projects and Waking Life(s). Here’s to the next 50 and beyond.”
Connecting industry creatives and communities to economic opportunity, the Texas Film Commission in the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Division has attracted $1.66 billion in local spending and created more than 157,000 production jobs across the state from 2007 to 2020. More than 150 Texas communities are now designated as Texas Film Friendly having completed the Film Friendly Texas certification process. And the Texas Film Commission continues to enhance and expand programs and resources like the Texas Production Directory and Texas Film Trails; partnerships with organizations; and professional development opportunities.
For the cast, crew, and digital media job opportunities in Texas, visit: https://gov.texas.gov/film/hotline
To explore all that Film Friendly Texas communities offer, visit: https://gov.texas.gov/film/page/fftx_overview
Source: gov.texas.gov