The big picture
A series of severe storms and two confirmed tornadoes caused residential and small-business damage across the Cypress-Fairbanks, Spring and Klein communities Nov. 24. Following the storms, local and state officials have started damage assessments in the affected areas, and the state is now requesting surveyors from the SBA to do the same.
"Today, I requested the U.S. Small Business Administration join state and local officials to begin preliminary damage assessments so we can ensure Texans have the support they need," Abbott said in the release. "These assessments will provide the accurate, on-the-ground information needed to secure crucial federal assistance for Texans who need it most."
The assessments from the SBA are a part of determining whether an area is eligible for federal assistance following a natural disaster, the release states.
According to findings from the National Weather Service, the severe storms Nov. 24 generated two tornadoes: an EF-2 that traveled through the Klein area and an EF-1 that moved through the Riata Ranch subdivision of Cypress. Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey's office is working to remove any remaining debris from the storm, as previously reported.
Next steps
Residents and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe weather on Nov. 24 are encouraged to fill out the TDEM’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) survey. The survey is a method of self-reporting damage from natural disasters to the state for potential assistance.
"Texans are urged to report damages to their homes or businesses through TDEM’s iSTAT survey," Abbott said in the release. "Together, we will ensure communities in Southeast Texas affected by these storms have what they need to rebuild and recover."
