Special to The Leader

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Historical Commission (THC) can assist property owners, local officials, and government agencies in communities impacted by the recent weather events in Texas.
In Texas, both disaster preparedness and disaster relief are coordinated by the Division of Emergency Management. With a federal disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will become involved. The use of federal funds to assist communities after a disaster is subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act when the clean-up and repair work impacts historic properties. In these situations, federal agencies will consult with the THC to ensure that the historic resources are protected.
The THC can advise owners of historic properties on the proper clean-up, rehabilitation techniques, and technical preservation issues in the aftermath of a disaster. THC staff can make site visits as needed to assist property owners as they plan for disaster recovery.
In addition to preserving historic properties, the THC website contains resources for the treatment of damaged museum collections and information from the Texas Department of Transportation addressing flood damage to truss bridges. For more information, contact the THC’s Division of Architecture at 512-463-6094 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us/disaster.