By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

Orange County Disaster Rebuild is hosting an outreach event from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center on Farm to Market Road 1442 in Orange.

On hand, during the event will be Disaster Case Management Registration, Red Cross Case Managers, the State of Texas Homeowner Assistance Program Application Intake, as well as other organizations to help with the recovery.

“The satellite sight for Orange is open Tuesday – Thursday,” Michelle Tubberville said. “This is to help those who are not able to reach the satellite sight when they are open.”

With over 300 families still in FEMA trailers, Tubberville added there is still need for assistance.

“FEMA will start charging rent on the trailers in February, Emergency Management Coordinator Joel Ardoin said.

Also during the event is how to sign up for virtual counseling for children.

“The counseling is done thru a website,” Tubberville said. “We have two schools set up right now for those who do not have Internet access at home.”

Vidor ISD and LC-M CISD are the schools set up at this time.

Commissioner Pct. 2 Theresa Beauchamp asked how many were expected to attend Saturday’s event and where were they staying if they don’t have a home.

“One program has 21 case workers and each is only allowed 35 cases. They are all full,” Tubberville said. “In North Orange, Vidor and Mauriceville, the need is there. Many are staying with family and friends.”

Bring the following documents with you for quicker processing on Saturday:
State ID or DL
Social Security card
Utility bill – service must be active during storm at address requesting assistance
Home Ownership Documents
FEMA award/denial letter
Insurance award/denial information
Photos of before/after storm
Property tax statement showing taxes are current or applicant has a payment arrangement with the county