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Every hurricane season reminds coastal Texans that a potential disaster is never out of the question. But now a multi-million dollar federal grant could help the state do a better job to prevent the devastation. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has the story.
August 26, 2010 · Hurricane Ike made U.S. landfall at Galveston on Sept. 13, 2008. It was the third costliest storm in U.S. history. But if another Hurricane were to follow Ike’s path, could the damage and loss of life be mitigated?
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding Texas a $68 million grant to better prepare for natural disasters.
Ron Simms is the deputy secretary for HUD.
“What can we do to make sure that we’re not always running behind but now going into what we believe is the best science, best engineering, the best policy to reduce harm. And it’s not just to reduce property damage. We’re talking about saving lives and being smarter than ever,” said Simms.
Houston congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said Texas has already started working on limiting the impact of disasters.
“This recovery enhancement fund will now allow us to go even further, in particular in older neighborhoods, home improvement grants to reduce damage risks – very important – property elevation reinforced garage doors, windows and roofs. The whole issue of relocation – many of our seniors and disabled persons are most targeted when we have these tragedies,” said Jackson Lee.
It’s up to Texas to decide where the funds will be spent. Some of the money could also be used to deal with the wild fire disasters that plague northern Texas and the Panhandle. |
