Winter Storm 2021 Resources

Rowlett Ready - Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Rowlett Ready is a community-focused group formed to help direct disaster related resources to those who need them in the City of Rowlett. This program is activated whenever there is a disaster declaration affecting the City of Rowlett. Rowlett Ready is a program of the Rowlett Community Organizations Active in Disaster (RCOAD) Committee. If you were affected by the severe winter weather event, please visit Rowlett Ready for a wealth of information and resources available now!

FEMA Disaster Assistance

Both grants through the Individual and Household Assistance Program and loans through the SBA are available. SBA loans are available for both residents and businesses.
How much assistance is available? The average grant amount provided through the Individual and Household Assistance Program for the last six disasters in Texas that got approved for IA was $5,842. For SBA, a max of $200,000 for homeowners to repair/replace a damaged/destroyed primary residence; $40,000 for a homeowner or renter to replace damaged personal property; and a max of $2 million for businesses with physical or economic injury.
Applicants are required to inform FEMA of all insurance coverage such as flood, homeowners, renter's, etc. that may be available to them. Insured applicants must provide FEMA documentation such as an insurance settlement or denial letter to process their application. FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.

Apply for Individual and Household Assistance Program at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-463-7585 TTY).

What to expect after applying for FEMA Disaster Assistance...

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.

Program flyer in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF).
Apply for SBA Loans and find info at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

The SBA has established a Virtual Business Recovery Center to provide personalized assistance to business owners. In addition, SBA has opened a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters.
Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
800-659-2955

State Damage Survey

Rowlett residents affected by this week’s winter storms – we ask that you please participate in the State’s survey here: https://arcg.is/uOrOb. The objective is to identify damages across Texas, and to help emergency management officials gain an understanding of those damages that have occurred. This will facilitate targeted assistance to be directed to the local level and will also help the State seek federal assistance.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of the February winter storm. Under Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4586-DR) dated February 19, 2021, workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from the winter storm may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits. Applications for DUA must be submitted by March 26, 2021. Visit https://bit.ly/2O2hgaz for information and to apply.

Trash Collection

Resumes Monday, February 22 on the normal schedule - i.e. Monday routes will be collected on Monday, Tuesday's on Tuesday, and so on.

Trash and Recycling Collection Information
They are working 12 hour shifts to accommodate the extra volume, and FCC staff will pick up any closed garbage bags placed by the polycart as long as they are under 45 pounds.

Brush and Bulky Waste Collection Information
Please place brush and bulky waste in front of your house, between the curb and sidewalk (do not block water meters, fire hydrants, alleys, sidewalks, driveways or roadways). Visit https://www.ci.rowlett.tx.us/914/Brush-and-Bulk-Collection for more bulk pickup information, including acceptable materials.

FCC will work diligently to collect all bulk setout in the first week – however, it may take several days as FCC trip times are limited by the (currently long!) lines to drop off at the landfill. We will continue to communicate any updates to the schedule and operations. We appreciate your patience and apologize in advance for any inconvenience you may experience!

Permitting and Inspections Information

Ready to get damage repairs underway? If you have been impacted by the winter storm and have permitting and inspections related questions, please email us at buildinginspections@rowlett.com with Winter Storm Permit Query in the subject line.

We know how stressful this situation is (we’re navigating repairs to our facilities, too) and we’re here to help ensure your repairs are completed safely. Contractors should be aware that Building Permits are required for any type of plumbing, HVAC mechanical and electrical work. If they are removing sheetrock and modifying the framing in any way, a permit is also required. Of note: contractors may perform emergency work without a permit (i.e. after hours or on weekends) as long as they apply for the permit in the next business day.

And finally, please vet potential contractors carefully. Unscrupulous scam artists posing as contractors may start going door-to-door cold calling to ask if work is needed. Ask questions, check references, get a contract in writing and copies of their driver license and bonding credentials, and never pay a large amount of money up front.

In Rowlett, contractors must register with the City's Building Inspection Department – find the current listings at the bottom of our Building Inspections webpage. Registration is online and in person, this is a quick process.
Governor Abbott has waived certain regulations that allows certain registered and qualified Plumber’s apprentices to perform needed repairs, this includes out-of-state and expired-licenses giving out provisional permits to out-of-state plumbers and waiving some fees and examination requirements for plumbers whose licenses have expired. More information is provided at the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website.

Utility Billing Information

The City of Rowlett Utility Billing Department has a residential leak adjustment policy in place to help Rowlett residents who experience a water leak. For this unprecedented winter weather event, Utility Billing will adjust 100% of the abnormal usage on water and sewer services for residents who experienced burst water pipes in their homes. The standard policy will be amended for this weather event to include approval of additional types of leaks not previously covered, including pools. The deadline to submit documentation for the amended leak adjustment policy is March 19, 2021. e submit your repair invoice or any receipts/pictures you have from parts purchased for the repair to utilities@rowlett.comor bring it by our office at 4004 Main St.

In the email please include your name, address, contact information and account number if you have it.
Once we receive the documentation, we will submit your request for the adjustment. Approved adjustments will be made on the bill issued in March for February usage.

In addition, Utility Billing has suspended all utility bill late penalties until March 9 and disconnections for non-payment until March 17.

Texas Department of Insurance Resources

Consumer page: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/index.html
Water-damage coverage and claims: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb074.html
Avoiding contractor scams: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/takefive/contractor-scams.html
Waiving deductibles: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/takefive/can-a-contractor-waive-my-deductible.html

Texas Attorney General Office Resources

Spotting and reporting price gouging: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/disaster-and-emergency-scams/how-spot-and-report-price-gouging
Post-disaster scams:
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/disaster-and-emergency-scams/disaster-scams

Food Bank Resources

Life Message - 4501 Rowlett Road, (972) 475-9800
Hope in Hand Food Pantry @ First Christian Church Rowlett - 7301 Miller Road, 972-475-3559
Feeding Texas - locate a local food bank.

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