FEMA tours flooded areas in San Benito

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were in the Valley Wednesday assessing homes that were damaged in the area-wide flooding.

The agencies will use the data they collect to determine if residents qualify for individual federal funding assistance.

County and federal officials needed to use high-water military vehicles to travel down some of the roads in San Benito.

The trucks stopped outside each home they came across, making note of the damage each residence had sustained.

Properties have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify for FEMA funding.

“For instance, on a mobile home, if the water hits the bottom on a mobile home, that’s completely destroyed. If you get anywhere between 12 and 16 inches, it can be destroyed," said Tom Hushen, Emergency Management Coordinator for Cameron County."It can be heavily damaged. It can be touched. There’s all different criteria, and that’s what we’re looking for. Most of the homes in this area, I can tell you we’re going to classify them as destroyed.”

Hushen says government agencies use the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool damage surveys as a guide to show the neighborhoods most affected.

“Right now, we’re over about 3,000 homes that are damaged, and they’re continuing to come in. And those are the people who have reported. We still have thousands upon thousands of people who haven’t reported yet, and that’s why we’re pushing out the ISTAT,” Hushen said.

As of now, Valley homeowners can keep submitting information to the system.

Hushen said the portal would remain open to residents in all four Valley counties as long as the disaster is still active.

FEMA was joined in its assessments by the Small Business Administration. The two agencies often work hand-in-hand following disasters.

“So that if people didn’t qualify, at least the low interest loans might be available,” Hushen said.

Hushen told us the county and federal agencies are actively looking to find every home possible, that was impacted.

Hushen also says the governmental organizations would stay in the area as long as it takes to get the numbers correct.

After his first inspection Wednesday morning in the Green Valley Farms Colonia, Hushen reminds residents the process would take some time to complete.

"This is the first stop. Don’t get me wrong, we still have stops to go in all different areas. And we’re going to hopefully get that number. We’re doing the best we can," Hushen said.