FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS PARTNER TO REBUILD TEXAS
HUD-coordinated team of Federal, State and local disaster experts provide assistance specific to Jefferson County/Beaumont

FORT WORTH - A partnership among federal, state and local representatives convened a work group initiative in Beaumont with Jefferson County officials on February 13, 2018, at the Jefferson County Courthouse. The event included comprehensive discussions of the County's disaster recovery priorities with disaster partners including HUD, FEMA and the Texas General Land Office to create a long-term strategy to rebuild Jefferson County communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Members of the Recovery Team included Beth Van Duyne, HUD SW Regional Administrator; Bill Doran, FEMA Deputy Field Coordinating Officer; Pete Phillips, Deputy Director for Community Development and Revitalization at the Texas General Land Office; representatives from HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development; SBA; and USDA. Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick participated, as well as city and emergency managers from around the county.

HUD SW Regional Administrator Beth Van Duyne who coordinated the partnership said, "After a disaster, prioritizing next steps, determining relevant state and federal resources and navigating all the related rules and regulations can be daunting for community leaders. The goal of this Recovery Team is to proactively reach out to areas affected by Harvey and offer them an organized and experienced team to cut through the red tape. By listening to their specific challenges, goals and needs, long term recovery plans can be tailored to most effectively rebuild their communities. Working together, we will rebuild Texas."

Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said, "We want our community to know that we are working every single day on their recovery, and this meeting with our state and federal partners is just one example of that. Our main message to those affected by Harvey is that they're not alone, and help is on the way. We look forward to continuing the conversations that will rebuild Jefferson County."

The Strike Team has already held meetings in Aransas County, Montgomery County, Wharton County and Galveston County. It will visit Port Arthur on Wednesday, February 14, and visits are planned to other Texas communities and cities affected by Harvey in the next months. HUD hopes to replicate the Strike Team model in future disasters across the country.

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