Texans hit hard by the recent relentless storm system are getting a lifeline from the state. Officials are urging folks with property damage from the "Spring Severe Weather and Flooding Event" to let them know their plight by completing the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. This is not just bureaucratic hoop-jumping: iSTAT is a key piece in securing relief funds and connecting residents to vital recovery assistance, as reported by the City of Garland.
Officials are banking on the damage self-reports to fully understand the extent of the havoc wreaked by Mother Nature. Filling out the survey might genuinely increase Texans' chances to access relief resources and begin to rebuild their lives quickly. These surveys are crucial tools in painting a picture of the needs and damages so that help can be better directed. Filling out the iSTAT is painless and can be done online in English or Spanish.
For those in the thick of the crisis and immediate danger, the mantra's the same as always: dial 911 without hesitation. But when it comes to reporting damage to public property, like the streets that once felt the pitter-patter of daily life now littered with the aftermath of the storm, or the traffic signals and signs that guide us, contact the City's Office of Emergency Management at [email protected]. And for the record, don't try to be a hero with downed power lines. Garland Power & Light should be called at 972-205-3000 or 833-403-2106; texts go to 972-205-4000. For outages beyond their reach, Oncor is the outfit to ring at 888-313-4747.
