AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment and Recovery establishes flood damage operation in Coldspring
Agents work from base to provide flood damage assessments
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery, DAR, agents have established base operations at the San Jacinto County Fairgrounds in Coldspring to provide flood storm damage field assessments on farms, ranches and public infrastructure.
Agents are conducting damage assessments after recent severe weather and flooding incidents in Mills, Hamilton, Bosque, Limestone, Hardin, Guadalupe, Leon, Polk, Harris, Liberty and San Jacinto counties.
“Establishing base operations at the Coldspring fairgrounds facility will expand our operations and further continuity so we can cover large areas more efficiently and effectively,” said Monty Dozier, AgriLife Extension Service Disaster and Assessment Recovery program director. “Our agents have been conducting damage assessments to fencing, infrastructure and any public assets as requested by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. We continue to have agents rostered and on standby to respond to Texans’ needs.”
DAR agents are helping landowners assess weather impacts to farm and ranch infrastructure, including barns, fencing, equipment and livestock, and public assets such as county roadways. These damage assessments are compiled as part of an overall effort in statewide response coordination led by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM.
Reporting losses, water well testing
TDEM encourages individuals to report losses through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool, iSTAT, reporting tool. The tool assists emergency management officials in assessing damages through iSTAT Damage Surveys. These help state officials identify resource needs and determine whether Texas qualifies for federal disaster aid.
Experts also advise landowners to have water wells tested after flood waters recede. The Texas Well Owner Network has flood resources available regarding contaminated flooded wells and system testing. Homeowners with water wells that have been submerged should assume their wells are contaminated and will need testing. Resources are also available on disinfecting water well systems.
