By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. is urging residents of Val Verde County, whether they live inside or outside the Del Rio city limits, whose property was damaged in the recent storms, to fill out a state damage survey.
Owens said representatives of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) have been in Del Rio since before the stormy weather about a week ago. Owens noted that, most recently, TDEM representatives have joined county officials in assessing flood damage to roads around the county.
Owens asked Val Verde County residents whose properties were damaged in flooding from recent rainstorms to report that damage to TDEM.
Residents can access TDEM’s damage survey at the following web address:
State officials use the results of the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to measure the impact of floods and other disasters to qualify for federal aid.
Once on the website, click on the menu item “July 12th Severe Weather” about halfway down the page.
Those taking the survey will be asked several questions, including whether the damaged property is a business or a residence, whether the damage includes agricultural losses and contact information.
Residents will also be asked to “pin” the location of their property on Google Maps, whether the building is habitable and whether the owner required assistance in cleaning flood damage.
Residents are also given a chance to submit photos of the damage.
Owens said TDEM will use the surveys to make a determination about what type of assistance can be given to the county.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
