The following storm and disaster recovery resources are now available for those affected by Hurricane Beryl in Houston and Harris County.
Read more*Update* - Winter Storm Uri Recovery Resources
Harris County recently issued a winter weather recovery alert through its ReadyHarris.org website. It provides some avenues of assistance for those affected by last month’s winter storm.
Read moreDisaster Declarations 101
Many Texans may have heard the phrase “disaster declaration” yet again last week—but what does that phrase really mean? Winter Storm Uri brought with it disaster declarations at the federal, state, and local levels for Texas, and these types of declarations are explored further in this blog post.
Read moreWinter Storm Uri Recovery Resources
Last week, Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc coast-to-coast as record snow, ice, and cold temperatures blanketed much of the nation. Here, in Texas, millions were left without power as the power grid that supplied electricity to much of the state failed amid growing demand. Not only did residents face power outages, they had to confront water shortages from burst or frozen pipes and water mains and empty shelves at grocery stores. Fortunately, power has been restored, but for many, there is still much more to be done.
For those requiring assistance or simply looking for answers to some questions they might have, the librarians at Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library have compiled a list of helpful disaster relief resources:
TexasLawHelp.org - Winter Strom Uri - Disaster Relief and Recovery - Users can find information on submitting a homeowners insurance claim, answers for common questions people have about disasters, steps they can take to recover from the disaster, and avoiding disaster scams. There are also links to legal organizations and other helpful groups, such as the American Red Cross and the National Consumer Law Center.
ReadyHarris.org - Winter Weather Recovery Resources - ReadyHarris.org, the web portal for Harris County, has a page devoted to winter weather recovery resources, such as the latest news and updates and links for applying for federal disaster assistance, reporting price gouging in the county, and a Houston Food Bank Finder. The website also provides some data on where residents can find supplies. Visitors to the website also being asked to complete a survey documenting any damage they sustained.
State Bar of Texas - Disaster Relief Resources - The State Bar of Texas has a toll-free legal hotline, 800-504-7030, to connect low-income residents with legal aid providers. The hotline is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. There is also a guide to help people understand FEMA. There are also presentations about replacing lost documents, insurance help, renters rights, and scams and price gouging. Some disaster relief contacts are also provided.
DisasterAssistance.gov - People looking to apply for disaster assistance can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov. The website also provides a personalized list of possible resources for assistance. Users can also search for federal disaster relief by category or agency.
Harris County Attorney - If you suspect that you were the victim of price gouging, visit the website of the Harris County Attorney to find information about what you can do and how you can file a complaint.
Houston Bar Association - The public can find general disaster recovery information and assistance, information about specific issues, and information about further help from the Houston Bar Association and its affiliates. There are also resources for attorneys.
For additional resources, please visit the Law Library’s Disaster Recovery Resources webpage.
Got Questions? Texas Legal Answers Can Help!
The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service recently launched a new service called Free Legal Answers. Texas is a participating state with its own dedicated web page where qualifying residents can post questions regarding civil legal matters. Volunteer attorneys who are authorized to provide pro bono assistance in Texas will answer the questions and respond to users via the website. This virtual legal advice clinic is a terrific new service for the residents of Texas, especially for self-represented litigants and those who otherwise can't afford a lawyer.
Simply visit the Texas Free Legal Answers web page, and follow these steps:
- Answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify to use the service.
- Submit your legal question for the volunteer attorneys to answer.
- Check your email to be notified when a response has been posted.
- Log back in to the Texas Free Legal Answers web page to view your reply.
The volunteer attorneys will not answer questions regarding criminal legal matters, but any civil law questions will be accepted and answered in a timely manner. For additional assistance, visit the Other Places to Get Help link at the top of the page. To register as a volunteer attorney, visit the Volunteer Attorney Registration page and ProBonoTexas.org If you would like more information about the Free Legal Answers site, contact the National Site Administrator.