Rep. Darby Provides Update for Weather Related Issues

AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Drew Darby of San Angelo Friday provide an update on weather-related actions residents can take in the wake of the deadly winter storm.  

Darby's social media post is below: 

Here's a quick update on recent weather-related actions: 

1. Governor Abbott announced today that the Biden Administration approved an additional 18 Texas counties for individual assistance under the federal Major Disaster Declaration, including Howard County. The total number of counties approved for individual assistance is now 216. I continue to work with our Congressional members to get all West Texas counties approved. 

2. Please complete the Texas Division of Emergency Management's (TDEM) Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to help the state identify damages: https://survey123.arcgis.com/.../eb1ab4928205490182896d86.... 

- TDEM, in conjunction with the Texas Military Department, launched a call center to assist Texans who have limited or no internet access complete the iSTAT. If you are having trouble completing the survey, please call (844) 844-3089 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., seven days per week. 

3. If you have not already, please consider submitting comments about your experience during the recent statewide power outages to the House Committees on State Affairs and Energy Resources, which is meeting now to hear from stakeholders across the electricity industry. The comment portal will remain open until noon on Monday, March 1, 2021. You can submit comments here: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c450.... 

4. If you were affected by the winter storm and live in a county that has been approved for individual assistance, please apply for FEMA assistance. If you do not have insurance to cover your damages, you are eligible to apply immediately for FEMA assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/. If you do have insurance, file a claim with your provider first, and then apply for FEMA assistance through the link. FEMA cannot duplicate payments you receive from your insurance provider. 

5. If you have questions about damaged property and insurance coverage, please check out the Texas Department of Insurance's winter storm resource page: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/recoverytips.html.

6. Due to the inclement weather, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts automatically extended the due date for 2021 franchise tax reports to June 15, 2021. 

7. The Internal Revenue Service moved the tax filing and payment deadline to June 15, 2021 for individuals and businesses in Texas. You can read more here: https://www.irs.gov/.../victims-of-texas-winter-storms.... 

8. Governor Abbott and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued a temporary waiver to increase the fuel supply in Texas. This waiver permits regulated refineries to make fuel in compliance with any seasonal specifications, and authorizes terminals and retail fuel stations to distribute this fuel until the particular stocks are depleted. 

9. The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance announced a new Federal Disaster Loan available to Texas businesses. You can find out more here: https://content.govdelivery.com/.../TXGOV/bulletins/2c2dcae. 

10. If you need rent or utility bill assistance, you can apply through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Rent Relief Program here: https://texasrentrelief.com/. 

The House Committees on State Affairs and Energy Resources’ joint hearing resumed this morning. You can watch the hearing live here: https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/