College Forward understands there are many different questions and needs related to Winter Storm Uri ranging from cleanup, water and food resources, mental health support, navigating classes, and more. There are many resources with varying answers to each of these questions, so it is hugely important to verify the information. Please utilize this document to find reliable resources, and if you know of any reliable resources that are not listed here, please share them with your coach to add them to this document. Other resources can be found on our Succeeding During COVID-19 page.
Government Resources
Navigating Disaster Assistance
City
- Austin City Resources – Food, Water, Energy, Transportation
- Austin Water – Operations, Updates, Report Leaks
- Austin Energy – Outages
- Winter Weather Updates – Weather
- Montgomery County Food Bank – Food
- Winter Weather Recovery Resources – Weather, Updates, Basic Needs Assistance
- Houston Food Bank – Food
- Water Distribution – Water
- More Resources – Food, Water, Energy, Transportation
- Plumbing Waiver – Plumbing
- Huntsville Food Pantry List – Food
- Dallas Winter Storm Resources – Food, Warming Stations
- Dallas Food Bank – Food
- Dallas Water Utilities – Water
- Winter Repair Waivers – Repairs
- Food Bank – Food
- Winter Weather Recovery – Damage Assistance
- Food Bank – Food
- Food Bank – Food
- Bottle Water Distribution Sites – Water
State
- Texas Department of Insurance – Water Damage coverage & claims
- Public Utility Commission of Texas – Assistance paying your bill
- Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) – Assistance paying your bill
- 211 Texas – Search tool for resources needed
Federal
- KXAN’s FEMA Application How-To – FEMA App Instructions
- TRLA’s Tips for Applying for Disaster Assistance In a Pandemic – Disaster Assistance
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development – TX Home Repair resources by city
- Dealing with Weather Emergencies
- Reporting Scams and Frauds
There is a SCAM going around with an 800 number saying FEMA will pay for hotel expenses but requests your SSN and other personal information. FEMA has confirmed that this is a scam.
Paying for and Attending College Post-Disaster
- Frequently asked questions (Financial Aid) – (via StudentAid.gov)
- Tips and Resources to Succeed in School & Work
- How to Email Professors About the Winter Storm
Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid resources are resources funded by, and for, community members to help each other. As members of shared communities, these resources are gathered at the grassroots level and usually have less strict documentation or situational requirements compared to government funds.
They can also arrive quicker in times of need. These resources can be especially helpful to people who are undocumented or have an immediate need. We suggest reaching out directly to the mutual aid resource that fits your needs with your situation as soon as possible.
- CoFo Mutual Aid List
- Cold Weather Resources in Austin, TX
- The Austin Common Food/Information Updates
- Central Texas Food Bank
- Navigating Disaster Assistance – includes information about FEMA
- “Información general del proceso de asistencia por desastres” – hay información de FEMA
- Disaster Insurance Guide
- “Guía de Seguro Posterior a un Desastre
- Protecting Against Contractor Fraud
- “Cómo evitar los fraudes de contratistas”
By School
- Del Valle ISD main website
- Hays ISD main website
- Austin ISD main website
- Fort Bend ISD main website
- Pflugerville ISD Weiss HS website
- Non-Perishable Meal Kit Request
- ACC Emergency Updates
- ACC Emergency Fund
- ACC Table of Community Resources
- ACC WiFi Lots
- Lone Star College
- Lone Star College Mental Health & Crisis Resources
- Lone Star College Alert page
- University of Houston
- Texas State Emergency Updates
- Texas State Emergency Fund
- Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M University Emergency Page
- UTSA Emergency Funds
- SHSU Updates
- UT Emergency Updates
- “Cómo evitar los fraudes de contratistas”
Health
- Taking Care of Your Emotional Health After a Disaster
- Makeshift Pantry Recipes During the Austin Snow to high school graduates who are 18+!
- Self-Care is a part of Storm Recovery Social-Emotional Learning and COVID-19 (DSP facing)
- BetterHelp is partnered with College Forward to provide free counseling resources to current CoFo students
- Coping with Disaster
Cleaning Up
- Picking Up the Pieces After A Disaster
- Renter’s Rights After a Disaster
- Insurance: Things to Know After A Disaster
- Debris Clean-Up and Removal Scams After A Weather Emergency
Donating
- How to donate wisely and avoid charity scams
- These organizations offer reports and ratings about how charitable organizations spend donations and how they conduct business:
- – BBB Wise Giving Alliance
- – Charity Navigator
- – CharityWatch
- – GuideStar
- Donating Through An Online Giving Portal
- Central Texas Food Bank – Donating & Volunteering page
- Communities in Schools – Donation Information
Social Media Accounts regularly updating, including free water/food distributions
Social Media Account Resources
- 365 Austin
- The Austin Common
- Where When What Austin
- InclusivaMENTE – Content in English and Spanish
