In the wake of the recent destructive winter storm, area leaders are working on a strategic recovery plan and they need YOUR HELP. They need individuals, organizations and nonprofits to 1. Report needs of the community and also 2. Give to the community, if they can.

EVERYONE can play a role in recovery by either reporting their own needs or contributing to meeting the needs of their neighbors. Below, you will find information to help you do both of those things.

REPORT NEEDS

1. Requesting of Donations, Services and Resources:

To let the EOC know of a need in Waco & McLennan County, individuals, organizations and nonprofits can complete a Resource Request survey available at this page.

2. FEMA Update, Info. on applying for assistance

A major disaster declaration was issued for Texas which makes federal emergency aid available. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585. We encourage individuals with damages to access all of these resources. Here is the link to the FEMA page for this disaster: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4586. This website will have more key information moving forward.

We fully intend to work face-to-face with our community to ensure any available FEMA funds are easily accessible to our residents.

3. FEMA Claim Process, step-by-step

• Contact your insurance company or agent to report your claim and loss damage. If you do not know who your insurance agent is, you can contact FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Take photos of damaged property inside and around your property. You will need all the evidence and proof you can get, so be diligent during this process.
• Meet with an insurance adjuster. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to you, and you should hear from them within 24 to 48 hours to schedule a visit to your property. They will help in the collection of information for the claims process, as well as documenting your claim. The adjuster will not approve or decline coverage to you directly or tell you about other forms of assistance you may qualify for.
• Collect documents relating to the damaged items. Having all relevant documents ready—such as receipts, photos, estimates, etc.—speeds up the claims process. Your adjuster can also help guide you by explaining what you will need to provide.

Get proof of loss. A proof of loss is your sworn statement about the amount of money you are claiming and usually includes supporting documentation. Your insurance adjuster may provide the proof of loss form and help you complete it if necessary. You will need this to get paid.

4. Tips from the Texas Dept. of Insurance

The Texas Department of Insurance provides these helpful tips for insurance following a winter storm.  Please encourage residents to review this information.

5. Individual Damage Assessment Survey

Information from these surveys will help give an accurate picture of damages across the State. For individuals and business owners, the first place to seek help is through insurance. The last resort is (if and when available) government assistance programs.

Please document all damages and associated costs, i.e., pictures, receipts, plumber/electrician invoices, etc. Information shared through this survey will help local government with the eligibility to access potential federal programs. Local leaders encourage all individuals with damages to complete the survey at

https://www.waco-texas.com/information-release-9.asp#gsc.tab=0

MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUR NEIGHBORS

1. Give: Donate Supplies or Volunteer power

Let authorities know of available supplies you can donate and volunteer opportunities in the survey at this link.

2. Give: Donations of money

Waco Foundation, in partnership with the City of Waco, created the Winter Storm Community Relief Fund to provide support to individuals and families who were impacted by Winter Storm Uri and do not have resources for basic needs and vital home repairs.  The fund will distribute grants to pre-selected local nonprofit agencies that provide basic necessities like food, electricity and water, and/or low to no-cost home repairs for families in need.  For home repairs, costs for materials will be covered by the Relief Fund and highly-trained professionals will conduct needed repairs.

Waco Foundation’s Board gave a $25,000 seed gift to the Winter Storm Community Relief Fund to help our community members get the aid they need.

You can donate to the fund and find out more about it at https://wacofoundation.org/winterstorm

***If a church or organization wants to begin to collect donations, please begin to do so in anticipation to give to this fund.***

(A special thank you to Elizabeth Thomas, Ashley Nystrom, Ryan Dirker, Ryan Holt, Bradley Ford and Ashley Allison, who have been diligently working to ensure our community has a strategic, coordinated recovery plan.)