LAWIN.news
  • Home
  • About Lawin
  • Community Events
  • Livestream
  • Faces & Voices
  • Podcasts
    • Legal Treats
    • Teacher Talk
    • Pink Table Talk
    • Be Bold. Why Not.
    • Commissary Kitchen
    • Beyond Health & Wellness
CONTACT US
  • Texas
  • Austin
  • Dallas Fort Worth
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Rio Grande
  • United States
  • Around the Globe
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Politics
08/10/2025

Stay Informed and Engaged with LAWIN.news—Your Updated Daily News Source for Filipino-Americans in Texas

ADVERTISE WITH LAWIN
08/10/2025
LAWIN.news

Hurricane Beryl Leaves Houstonians Scrambling for Aid at FEMA Centers

by LAWIN.news July 17, 2024
written by LAWIN.news July 17, 2024
482

Credits:Ketk.com

On Monday afternoon, the parking lot of the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center was packed, with people lining the streets outside. Some were waiting for food and water distribution, while others hoped to apply for federal recovery aid after Hurricane Beryl.

“We still don’t have lights at the house, shingles flew out, a fence is down,” said Leticia Lee, a Houston native and resident of Spring. “We’ve been trying to find gas and other stuff. Work is out too… we’ve lost thousands of dollars.”

The Acres Homes center was one of a few FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers that reopened in Harris County by Monday morning. More than 60 individuals and their families crowded the waiting area, hoping for relief.

These centers were initially opened by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after a derecho storm hit Houston in May. Now, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, they were reopening slowly. Information about the reopenings was also slow to disseminate, with some people only finding out through word of mouth or after visiting other closed locations.

By 1 p.m. on Monday, Lee and her cousin Deborah Sanders had waited for three hours to speak to a FEMA representative. They were given numbers 97 and 98, with the last number called still in the 70s. Despite the air conditioning, their anxiety was building.

Applicants were asked to have basic personal information ready, such as home and mailing addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and banking and insurance information. Missing information could be added after the initial application, according to disasterassistance.gov.

“I just brought some proof of where I live, a light bill, which I can’t afford to pay today,” Lee said.

On Monday morning, FEMA’s Hurricane Beryl page was not displaying any reopened centers, but the agency’s general Disaster Recovery Center locator was functional.

At the Acres Homes center, about 17 FEMA representatives assisted applicants in a busy second-floor room. Shortly after 1 p.m., one representative announced that three more centers had reopened for those willing to go elsewhere. People immediately left their seats to grab a printed copy of the list. The newly reopened centers included the Spring Spirit Sports and Education Complex, the Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center, and the Leon Z Grayson Community Center.

“They want you to drive out there and wait, but we’ve been waiting here,” a woman, who declined to be identified, remarked as she stood up to get the list.

The speed at which centers were reopening remained unclear. Janice Neal drove in from Humble seeking answers. She had been without power since Monday, July 8, and without access to a phone. Her safety net, an electric generator, had stopped working shortly after she lost power.

“My casualties are my safety nets,” Neal said. “If they give me $500, or what the news has been saying, $750, I can get me another generator… or a phone, which is now completely dead.”

Most people interviewed at the Acres Homes center were first-time aid applicants. Many didn’t have electricity or wifi at home to access the online application, some had spent hours on the phone waiting, and others had heard of online applications being denied and preferred to apply in person.

Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
LAWIN.news

LAWIN.news is your trusted source for timely, relevant, and comprehensive news coverage. With a commitment to delivering the latest updates on local, national, and global events, LAWIN.news provides in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive stories that matter to you. Our dedicated team ensures that each report is thoroughly researched and presented with clarity and integrity. Stay informed and engaged with LAWIN.news—where every story counts. Disclaimer: The views and beliefs expressed by the author do not necessarily represent those of LAWIN.news, its management, editorial board, or staff.

previous post
King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Visit Australia and Samoa in October
next post
Elon Musk Announces Move of SpaceX and X Headquarters to Texas Following New California Law

You may also like

Pregnant mother’s life cut short in hit-and-run tragedy

August 9, 2025

HFD responds to 2-alarm fire in Southwest Houston

August 9, 2025

Houston Zoo debuts quirky new resident with a big personality

August 9, 2025

Galveston claims world record for historic engineering milestone

August 9, 2025

Cedar Park approves move to join Central Texas aerospace group

August 9, 2025

Texas Republicans sue to oust Democrats blocking redistricting

August 9, 2025

Recent Posts

  • ‘The Naked Gun’ delivers laughs with Neeson and Anderson’s charm
  • Austin neighborhoods battle pest invasion linked to construction
  • ASEAN Consulates unite in Houston to celebrate 58th ASEAN Day
  • Leptospirosis threat not over yet, says DOH
  • Pregnant mother’s life cut short in hit-and-run tragedy

Recent Comments

  1. Texas and the Philippines Economic Collaboration: APECO and PACCTX-GHR meet at PCG in Houston - Bagong APECO on Texas – Philippines Economic Collaboration: APECO and PACCTX-GHR Meet at PCG in Houston

Recent Posts

  • ‘The Naked Gun’ delivers laughs with Neeson and Anderson’s charm

    August 9, 2025
  • Austin neighborhoods battle pest invasion linked to construction

    August 9, 2025
  • ASEAN Consulates unite in Houston to celebrate 58th ASEAN Day

    August 9, 2025
  • Leptospirosis threat not over yet, says DOH

    August 9, 2025
  • Pregnant mother’s life cut short in hit-and-run tragedy

    August 9, 2025

Stay Updated!

Get the new articles and photos.

LAWIN.news

Providing high-quality news stories that matters to its readers. It’s core mission is “Stay informed and engaged with LAWIN.news—where every story counts.”

  • P.O. Box 20561 Houston, Texas 77225
  • Email Address: neska@mylawin.com
  • Support: helpdesk@mylawin.com

About Links

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Compliance
  • Media Relations
  • Advertise With Us
  • Corporate Information
  • Apps & Products

Useful Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Data Tracking
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Personal Information
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Login | Register Account

Newsletter

Get the new articles and photos.

Latest News

Pregnant mother’s life cut short in hit-and-run tragedy
HFD responds to 2-alarm fire in Southwest Houston
Houston Zoo debuts quirky new resident with a big personality
Galveston claims world record for historic engineering milestone

@2025 – All Right Reserved. Made with ❤️ by myVATA.co

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube
LAWIN.news
  • Home
  • About Lawin
  • Community Events
  • Livestream
  • Faces & Voices
  • Podcasts
    • Legal Treats
    • Teacher Talk
    • Pink Table Talk
    • Be Bold. Why Not.
    • Commissary Kitchen
    • Beyond Health & Wellness
LAWIN.news
  • Home
  • About Lawin
  • Community Events
  • Livestream
  • Faces & Voices
  • Podcasts
    • Legal Treats
    • Teacher Talk
    • Pink Table Talk
    • Be Bold. Why Not.
    • Commissary Kitchen
    • Beyond Health & Wellness
@2024 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by myVATA.co