After the storm

FEMA's top tips and resources for Texans affected by Hurricane Beryl

FEMA and the Salvation Army have prepped food and water for the area.

Photo by Peter Dazely Getty Images

Hurricane Beryl was downgraded to a tropical storm as it forged its path inland through Texas on Monday, July 8, but not without first causing havoc along the coast.

In a release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urged the public to stay alert, even after the storm, and offered the following safety tips and relief resources for those affected along the Texas coast.

"People in the storm’s path are still encouraged to remain vigilant and listen to their local officials, as the storm continues to move inland," FEMA officials said in a statement.

Staying safe
"Residents and visitors affected by the storm should be aware of continued risks and should not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters," FEMA reminds, adding:

Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be helping people in flooded areas or cleaning up debris. Residents can assist them by staying off the roads and out of the way. (Here is a list of roads around Houston with high-water spots, as of late Monday morning.)
Don’t drive through flood waters. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. "When driving, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips," FEMA says. "As little as 6 inches of water may cause people to lose control of their vehicle."
Do not walk or wade in flood waters. The water may be contaminated by gasoline, oil, or raw sewage. It may also include dangerous wildlife. "For flooded basements, people should never attempt to turn off power or operate circuit breakers while standing in water," FEMA cautions. "Wear gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris alone."
Avoid downed power or utility lines. Think of all downed lines as "live" with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to the power or utility company. CenterPoint adds, "See downed overhead lines? Stay at least 35 feet away and call 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143." Find more information here.

As power outages continue, FEMA urges residents and business owners to heed these safety tips:

Use generators safely. "Generators can be helpful when the power goes out," FEMA says. "It is important to know how to use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazards. Only use them outdoors and away from windows."
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Food will stay cold in a refrigerator for about four hours; a full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours, they say.
Disconnect appliances and electronics. Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics. "Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage," FEMA says.

Response and relief efforts
Before the hurricane made landfall, FEMA staged areas along the coast with 500,000 meals and 800,000 liters of water, ready to distribute at the state’s request. FEMA also has 60 generators on-site to provide power to critical infrastructure, two Mobile Emergency Response Support vehicles prepared provide support, and more than 60 staff embedded in the area, the agency says.

"The U.S. Coast Guard is on standby with boats and aircraft to assist search and rescue activities as well as reconstitute ports as it becomes safe to do so," FEMA says. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has an Emergency Power Planning and Response Team on the ground to assist with any temporary emergency power needs to critical public facilities."

The State of Texas has more than 2,000 responders deployed to assist with impacts from the storm; for more information, visit Hurricane Beryl (texas.gov).

Nonprofit support
"The Salvation Army has mobilized an Emergency Disaster Services team focused on providing feeding, emotional, and spiritual care and has 35,000 meals ready for storm survivors," FEMA says. "In addition, the American Red Cross has deployed hundreds of trained disaster workers and truckloads of relief supplies, along with numerous emergency response vehicles, to impacted areas. Team Rubicon’s domestic teams have more than 16,000 local volunteers standing by."

For the latest information on Salvation Army relief, go to www.disaster.salvationarmy.org. Watch for regular updates on their social media pages at https://www.facebook.com/SalArmyTX and www.twitter.com/salarmytx.

To donate to Beryl disaster relief, go here.

For more help with food, shelter, and other services, visit this story from CultureMap news partner ABC13.

beryl fema relief resources tips weather

always be prepared

Texas tax-free weekend lets shoppers stock up on emergency supplies

Getty Images

Emergency supplies like first aid kits that cost less than $75 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

The best time for Texas residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for natural disasters is coming up this weekend. The annual statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 25-27, when Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies — plus household necessities like batteries and fire extinguishers — tax-fee.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 25, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 27. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend, and purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order.

Saving on emergency supplies
Emergency preparation supplies must be purchased under certain price brackets to qualify for the tax exemption. For example, portable generators must have a sales price less than $3,000 to qualify for a tax break. Ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300 also qualify.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources; candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The full list of qualifying items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website.

As a reminder, over-the-counter items like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, and spray and wipes are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items that will still be taxed
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

What to do if a qualifying item is taxed during the holiday
If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 25-27 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

tax free weekend emergency supplies texas