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[Dallas County Residents Eligible For Federal Disaster Loan Through the Small Business Association, From May 2013 Severe Weather] [Dallas, TX] – [This is an advisory to inform residents of Dallas County, that anyone who lives in Dallas County who owns property (as a primary residence) or a business in areas affected by the severe weather that occurred May 15, 2013, are eligible for a Disaster Assistance Loan through the SBA. If you fit the criteria, you are urged to call or visit any of the three outreach centers (Ellis County, Johnson County and Hood County) in the press release below. You may also call the SBA’s Customer Service 800 line or email them for a Disaster Loan Application Form and information. See bottom of the press release below for contact details.]
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Texas ResidentsAnd Businesses Affected by the Severe Weather and TornadoesSACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas residents and business owners affected by the severe weather and tornadoes that occurred May 15, 2013, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Rick Perry on May 24, 2013. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the Texas counties of Ellis, Hood, and Johnson and the neighboring counties of Bosque, Dallas, Erath, Henderson, Hill, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell and Tarrant. “The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Texans with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster,” said Mills. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.” “Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Dallas/Ft. Worth District Director Herbert Austin. “Beginning Thursday, May 30, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Austin continued. The centers will be open on the days and times indicated until further notice. No appointment is necessary.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Interest rates can be as low as 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.govor visiting SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is July 29, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 3, 2014. SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841 TORNADO PREPARATION PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH, WHICH INCLUDES DALLAS COUNTY, UNTIL 7PM TONIGHT. THE DALLAS COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATING CENTER (EOC) WAS ACTIVATED AS OF 11:30 THIS MORNING TO MONITOR FOR SEVERE WEATHR. Important Emergency Preparedness List:
BELOW PLEASE SEE PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS STATE OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC), WHICH INCLUDES VARIOUS LINKS FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR VIEWERS.  North Texas and Oklahoma have experienced various tornadoes in the past few weeks. Knowing what to do when you see a tornado, or when you hear a tornado warning, can help protect you and your family. During a tornado, people face hazards from extremely high winds and risk being struck by flying and falling objects. After a tornado, the wreckage left behind poses additional injury risks. Although nothing can be done to prevent tornadoes, there are actions you can take for your health and safety. When there are thunderstorms in your area, turn on your radio or TV to get the latest emergency information from local authorities. Listen for announcements of a tornado watch or tornado warning. Important Measures To Take
Practicing Your Emergency Plan Conduct drills and ask questions to make sure your family remembers information on tornado safety, particularly how to recognize hazardous weather conditions and how to take shelter. Writing Down Important Information Make a list of important information. Include these on your list:
Storing Important Documents Store the following documents in a fire- and water-proof safe:
Shutting Off UtilitiesGasAfter a tornado, DO NOT USE matches, lighters, or appliances, or operate light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks. Sparks from electrical switches could ignite gas and cause an explosion. If you smell the odor of gas or if you notice a large consumption of gas being registered on the gas meter, shut off the gas immediately. First, find the main shut-off valve located on a pipe next to the gas meter. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the valve to the "off" position. ElectricityAfter a major disaster, shut off the electricity. Sparks from electrical switches could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion. Water
Arranging and Securing Household Items
Texas Division of Emergency Management: Tornado Preparedness: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/Preparedness/tips/tornadoSafetyTips.htm Accessible Content for Preparedness (American Sign Language) http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/asl/ CDC Tornado Preparednesshttp://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/ FEMA Tornado Preparedness: http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
Duties and Responsibilities The Dallas County Emergency Management program stems from Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code which requires that each county maintain a disaster plan responsible for emergency preparedness and coordination of response to disasters. This statute is the basis for the State/local relationship, which is solidified by inter-jurisdictional agreements with Dallas County and its municipalities for mutual assistance on day-to-day operations and during times of disaster.
In December of 2009, the United States Department of Homeland Security designated the Dallas/Ft. Worth areas as a Tier One Terrorism Threat Level community. This is based on the amount of critical infrastructure and key resources located in the region. In our Homeland Security role, HSEM must be prepared and able to quickly adapt to changing events and situations. Through effective “situational awareness” we can implement programs to better prepare our communities, protect lives and critical infrastructure against threats and intentional acts of terrorism.
HSEM works with the North Central Texas Council of Governments and regional jurisdictions to maximize our homeland security federal grant opportunities. The North Texas region continues to receive grant funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Grant Programs.
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CPR Cancellation Policy
