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FEMA representatives arrived this morning and came to City Hall to brief us on their Hurricane Harvey response in Bellaire. They gave us an overview of the federal disaster recovery programs available to residents, as well as to the City itself, and what to expect in the coming days. We then took them on a driving tour through several of our neighborhoods so they could see for themselves the extent of the damage we sustained and get a handle on the sheer number of impacted homeowners in need of assistance. They will allocate resources accordingly.

The first step for those seeking federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA, online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Our own City of Bellaire Library reopened today, and has public computers and librarians available to help with filling out the forms. Also visit our Hurricane Harvey Recovery Resources page for other helpful links and information.

Registration starts the process by assigning a specific case number, followed by a call-back to schedule a visit by a FEMA inspector. Eligibility determinations will be made for various individual assistance programs, including for transitional shelter, rentals and other needs. In many cases applicants can receive payments by direct deposit to their bank accounts within days. While insurance is a consideration in determining eligibility for these benefits, residents are strongly encouraged to register with FEMA regardless of whether or not they have flood coverage.

FEMA is also deploying two- to four-person Disaster Survivor Assistance teams in Bellaire. They’ll be walking through affected neighborhoods to help people get registered, provide case updates to those who have signed up already, and to answer questions and distribute information. You can identify them by their light blue shirts bearing the FEMA logo (or sometimes red with a “FEMA Corps” logo), and you should ask to see their FEMA ID badges. They will not demand or accept payment for any reason, and they will not try to enter your home. If you suspect someone may be posing as a FEMA representative, do not give them any of your personal information and call Bellaire Police at (713) 668-0487.

FEMA personnel are obviously in high demand throughout our region, and they’re working hard to allocate resources and maintain a continuous presence here in Bellaire. We will keep the lines of communication open and do what we can to facilitate their efforts to assist our residents.

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Like most cities dealing with large scale debris generated by storms like Harvey, the City of Bellaire contracts with disaster recovery firms for the removal and management of storm debris. Careful management of this process is critical to qualify for reimbursement of City expenditures by FEMA which will lessen the financial burden on the City.

Removal of storm debris in the City of Bellaire will begin on Monday, September 11. It is anticipated that three sweeps will be made throughout the community. This means that residents will have three opportunities to dispose of storm debris. It is expected that the sweeps will occur on a weekly basis. However, that frequency could change if the work progresses more quickly or slowly than anticipated.

The contractor intends to bring in a variety of equipment to address the City’s needs. Many residents will see large semi type trucks with a claw attachment to pick up the debris. Residents along narrower streets may see pick-up trucks with trailers followed by a back hoe or front end loader with a claw type attachment to handle the debris.

Items residents are welcome to include in their debris pile include:

1. Construction Material: dry wall, sheet rock, flooring, cabinetry, sinks, etc.

2. Appliances: refrigerators, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, televisions, computers, etc.

3. Other: toys, books, clothing, sporting goods, etc.

Items residents are asked to keep separate from their debris pile include:

1. Paint

2. Gasoline, kerosene, or diesel fuel

3. Chemicals, paint stripper, etc.

These items are considered to be hazardous and the City is working on a plan to address these hazardous items. Additional information and scheduling details will be announced soon. Please visit the City’s website www.bellairetx.gov for updates.

The City has suspended Curbside Recycling until further notice to allow for scheduled trash pick-up. City crews will finish solid waste pick up in Solid Waste Areas C & D on Wednesday, September 6, and resume Solid Waste Areas A, B & E on Thursday, September 7. Separating your solid waste trash from storm the debris will facilitate efficient pick-up.

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FEMA staff (Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams) are on Bellaire streets today. They will be wearing blue or red shirts with the FEMA logo, and they will have badges. Their objective is to provide information, answer your questions, and to offer assistance with necessary FEMA registration. They won’t be selling you anything, nor do they need to go into your homes.

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Debris Piles and Traffic Bring About New Concerns

As if our messy situation weren’t bad enough, it’s now becoming even worse with a steady influx of scavengers and onlookers, and the additional traffic they create, particularly in hardest-hit Southdale. We’ve been getting lots of questions, so I take this opportunity to share and address these concerns with a broader audience.

Some amount of scavenging is to be expected. It’s not illegal per se, but we’re concerned about it because many residents are reporting that scavengers are rummaging through their belongings at the curb and leaving an even bigger mess behind. In some cases they’re opening and dumping bags out in yards and in the streets to pick through their contents, and not bothering to clean up again after themselves. If you observe this kind of activity, don’t hesitate to call the Bellaire Police at (713) 668-0487. We’ve got officers on patrol who will respond. See also Chief Holloway’s suggestions, which he sent out this morning.

Debris removal is still on schedule to begin this coming week. That puts us well ahead of the game, especially as small cities throughout our area are in need of those same contract services. Meanwhile, the City’s regular solid waste collection has resumed. It’s very slow going, not only because of the extremely high volume, but also because of all the traffic and parked cars on the residential streets they’re trying to get to. We’ve got all hands on deck; in addition to the solid waste crews a whole bunch of other city employees (among them the City Manager and HR Director) have been out driving every pickup truck in our fleet helping to collect garbage bags. An added benefit of using pickup trucks is that they can get down the east-west residential streets more easily than the garbage trucks can. They’re working through the weekend to get the job done, and the normal solid waste schedule will resume on Tuesday.

With cars and contractors’ trucks lining both sides of every street in Southdale, traffic is a real challenge. In response, BPD officers are patrolling the neighborhood on bicycles. They’re directing traffic as needs arise and are better able to get around in responding to calls for service. Please help them by avoiding that and other heavily congested areas if you don’t need to be there.

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we’re working hard to serve you.

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Bellaire Police Chief Byron Holloway acknowledges that the scavengers seen on our streets are frustrating for some homeowners. Bellaire officers are warning them to stay away or ask during daylight hours. Bellaire is still under a curfew from midnight to 5:00 am.

Chief Holloway offers these suggestions to homeowners:

1. Place items that are drying in the backyard and not the front yard.

2. If possible, do not place drying items next to debris piles. This gives the appearance that the item is being thrown out. Keeping the trash separate from the debris will help to prevent tearing of the trash bags as items are moved.

3. If you do place items which are intended to keep in the front yard, consider placing them closer to the house than the street.

4. Signage will keep some, not all, from going through items. Suggested sign wording: No taking/No agarrar

Chief Holloway also reminds residents that per Supreme Court rulings, when a person puts items in a trash pick-up area they have little or no expectation of privacy.

City officials are working with contractors in place before Harvey and are developing a pickup schedule for debris to be announced soon. The city’s solid waste crews have resumed regular schedules. Reminder that Monday is the Labor Day holiday and there will be no trash pick-up.

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