Brazos County Resident Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Update Survey

Help your local emergency management partners by completing a survey for the update to our Brazos County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan.  The Plan identifies and assesses our community’s natural hazard risks and develops strategies and actions to minimize or manage those risks.

Why is this important to you?  Having an established Hazard Mitigation Plan helps to reduce flood insurance rates, reduces damage/loss to personal property and creates the ability to apply for recovery funds should a Federal Disaster Declaration be issued.

The following survey will only take about 5 minutes and the information you provide will help us better understand your hazard concerns and can lead to mitigation activities that should help lessen the impacts of future hazard events.

Take the survey here

Ayude a sus socios locales de gestión de emergencias completando una encuesta para la actualización de nuestro Plan de acción de mitigación de riesgos del condado de Brazos. El Plan identifica y evalúa los riesgos de peligros naturales de nuestra comunidad y desarrolla estrategias y acciones para minimizar o gestionar esos riesgos.

Por qué esto es importante para ti? Tener un Plan de Mitigación de Riesgos establecido ayuda a reducir las tasas de seguro contra inundaciones, reduce los daños/pérdidas a la propiedad personal y crea la posibilidad de solicitar fondos de recuperación en caso de que se emita una Declaración Federal de Desastre.

La siguiente encuesta solo tomará unos 5 minutos y la información que proporcione nos ayudará a comprender mejor sus inquietudes sobre peligros y puede conducir a actividades de mitigación que deberían ayudar a disminuir los impactos de futuros eventos de peligro.

Tome la encuesta aquí

Update on Brazos County Warming Centers

Brazos County warming centers are transitioning to standby operations. For more information and transportation options, call 2-1-1.

Brazos County warming centers are transitioning to standby operations.

The warming center at The Salvation Army is closed, but the Twin City Mission remains open and can provide overnight services for individuals and families. The VFW warming center is open tonight until 10, then is available as needed by dialing 2-1-1.

The American Red Cross, VFW, and United Way of the Brazos Valley partners are prepared to open the VFW warming center based on assessed needs. No pets are allowed.

For information about transportation options, call 2-1-1.

Warming Centers Available Thursday Through Sunday in Brazos County

Warming centers will be available Thursday through Sunday in Brazos County for those seeking relief from the expected freezing temperatures.

Warming centers will be available Thursday through Sunday in Brazos County for those seeking relief from the expected freezing temperatures.

The warming center at The Salvation Army is open Thursday from noon- 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Water, snacks and charging stations are available. The Salvation Army is providing staff, volunteers and supplies.

A warming center at the VFW opens Thursday at 5 p.m. and will remain open until 11 a.m. on Sunday. Water, snacks and charging stations are available. Individuals and families are encouraged to bring personal supplies for overnight stays.

Pets are not allowed at either location. The Brazos Valley Food Bank is providing supplies for the VFW location, and the Twin City Mission is providing blankets.

For more information about the centers and transportation options, call 2-1-1.

Volunteer to Help

To volunteer at the VFW, click here. The Red Cross and Catholic Charities are coordinating shifts and training.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Texas Small Businesses

Small nonfarm businesses in Brazos County are now eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by Drought that occurred in the following primary counties in Texas, announced Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Declaration

Number

Primary

Counties

Neighboring

Counties

Incident Type Incident Date Deadline
17552 Burleson, Fayette, Liberty and Washington Austin, Bastrop, Brazos, Caldwell, Chambers, Colorado, Gonzales, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Lavaca, Lee, Milam, Montgomery, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto and Waller Drought Beginning July 19, 2022 3/27/23
17560 Bastrop, Brazos, Grimes and Lee Burleson, Caldwell, Fayette, Leon, Madison, Milam, Montgomery, Robertson, Travis, Walker, Waller, Washington and Williamson Drought Beginning June 7, 2022 4/3/23

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disasters and businesses directly impacted by the disasters,” Garfield said.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disasters not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disasters only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate as low as 2.935 percent for businesses and 1.875 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Garfield said.

By law, SBA makes economic injury available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster.  The Secretary declared declaration 17552 on July 25, 2022; and declaration 17560 on Aug. 1, 2022.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

Governor Abbott Mobilizes Additional State Resources As Wildfire Danger Continues

Governor Abbott today announced the mobilization of additional state resources to assist local fire departments in battling wildfires across Texas. With increased fire potential worsened by excessively dry conditions, the Governor is directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state resources in collaboration with the Texas A&M Forest Service.

“Communities across the state continue to be impacted by dangerously dry conditions that could lead to further spread of wildfires,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas is working day and night to provide the resources needed to help support those affected by wildfires. To ensure the safety of all Texans and their loved ones, I strongly urge everyone to remain vigilant and heed the guidance of local officials to prevent the spread of wildfires.”

In the past week, state agency responders have assisted local officials with their response to 115 wildfires, totaling 10,242 acres statewide. Two additional Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams, consisting of 32 firefighters and 10 engines, were mobilized today to support local firefighting efforts.

In addition to the newly activated state resources, the following are currently deployed across Texas:

  • 300 Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters
  • 638 out-of-state personnel from 43 different state land management agencies
  • Eight TIFMAS strike teams, including one hand crew module, and up to 150 personnel and 33 engines from 40 fire departments
  • 33 firefighting aircraft
  • Two Texas Emergency Medical Task Force wildland fire support packages with a total of 10 personnel, ambulances, and wildland paramedic units

Governor Abbott recently updated a disaster declaration for wildfires impacting the state to include 83 counties. The Governor also amended a drought disaster declaration to include 227 Texas counties affected by drought conditions.

Texans are encouraged to use extreme caution during heightened fire conditions, including:

  • Postponing outdoor burning until conditions improve and always checking for local burn bans and other restrictions
  • Avoiding parking and idling in tall, dry grass, as catalytic converters can get hot enough to ignite the grass under a vehicle
  • Avoiding setting hot chainsaws or other hot, gas-powered equipment in dry grass
  • When pulling a trailer, attaching safety chains securely, as loose chains can drag on the pavement and cause sparks that could ignite roadside fires.

Additional wildfire resources can be accessed by visiting tfsweb.tamu.edu/CurrentSituationand tdem.texas.gov/disasters/2022-wildfires. Texans can also view wildfire safety information at ready.gov/wildfires.

Brazos Valley Regional COVID-19 Infusion Center Open to Patients

If you or someone you know has recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is high-risk they may be eligible for a FREE Monoclonal Antibody infusion treatment.

The FDA has allowed Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to high-risk patients for treatment of SARS-COV-2 viral infection. High-risk criteria required for Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab or Casirivimab/Imdevimab infusion is defined as at least one of the listed criteria.

If you believe you have any of the risk factors on the right and have symptom onset within the last10-days, please call the Brazos Valley Regional TDEM COVID- 19 Infusion Center at 979.690.4478, where you will be screened by a provider for eligibility.

No insurance is needed.

Infusion Center Location

College Station COVID-19 Infusion Center

4411 Highway 6, College Station, Texas 77845

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you could potentially qualify for an infusion. Close contact with an infected individual is defined as: being within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more, providing care at home to someone who is sick, having direct physical contact with the person (hugging or kissing, for example), sharing eating or drinking utensils, or being exposed to respiratory droplets from an infected person (sneezing or coughing, for example).

High risk factors

  1. BMI > 25
  2. 12-17yo have BMI ≥ 85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts
  3. Are ≥65 years of age
  4. Unvaccinated
  5. Race/Ethnicity
  6. Previous/Current Smoker
  7. Pregnancy
  8. Chronic kidney disease
  9. Diabetes
  10. Immunosuppressive disease
  11. Currently receiving any kind of immunosuppressive treatment
  12. Cardiovascular disease (including congenital heart disease)
  13. Hypertension
  14. Chronic lung diseases (ex: COPD, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension)
  15. Sickle Cell Disease
  16. Neurodevelopmental disorders (ex: cerebral palsy) or other conditions that confer medical complexity (ex:genetic or metabolic syndromes and severe congenital anomalies)
  17. Having a medical-related technological dependence (ex:tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation not related to Covid-19.)

Show your appreciation to “unseen first responders” during Public Safety Telecommunications Week

state of texas seal and ribbon

STATE OF TEXAS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Across the state, public safety telecommunications act as our “unseen first responders,” but these men and women continually serve our communities and help save lives every day. These professionals, which included 9-1-1 operators, dispatchers, and other communications specialists, answer calls for help and use their high-quality communication and and decision making skills address the needs of the caller according to the specific challenges raised by their emergency. Not only do they maintain the calm, professional, and disciplined demeanor that handling a 9-1-1 call requires, but these first responders also think and respond rapidly to crisis situations, and often lend a supporting voice to reassure frightened, and upset, and confused callers.

As we have faced the unprecedented challenges of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, public safety telecommunications have remained unwavering in their dedication to providing essential services to Texans in need during these difficult and distressing times. To address these needs, Texas has almost 600 public safety answering points where over 4,000 telecommunicators answer 9-1-1 calls, with a large percentage of those calls coming from wireless phones. The commission on State Emergency Communications works with telecommunications and local and state governments to ensure Texans have reliable access to emergency telecommunications services. Every year, the commission designates a week in April for an awareness campaign to highlight the main contributions and achievements of public safety telecommunications and their importance in the public safety framework of the Lone Star State.

At this time, I encourage all Texans to learn more about the vital role these professionals play in our everyday lives, and to extend their appreciation to public safety telecommunications. Their strength and expertise in times of crisis ensures Texans receive the help they need when they need it most.

Therefore, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim April 11-17, 2021, to be Public Safety Telecommunications Week  in Texas, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof. In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this the 5th day of March, 2021.

Mobile Test Collection Sites

The Brazos County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Department of Emergency Management are partnering to bring additional testing to Brazos County.   Efforts will continue to bring additional testing to our community.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the following locations.

Brazos County:

ST. TERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (307 Hall Street, Bryan-KIOSK IN PARISH HALL PARKING LOT): Appointments only.

Open Monday-Friday (8 am-5 pm)

https://curative.com/search#11.63/30.6305/-96.3309

 

CURATIVE VAN LOCATION

Lincoln Recreation Center (1000 Eleanor Street, College Station).  Walk-up only.

Mondays and Tuesdays (8 am-5 pm)

 

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church (1505 Dansby St., Bryan).  Walk-up only. 

Fridays and Saturdays (8 am-5 pm)

 

What you need to know to get tested:

  • Testing is available for anyone above age 5 (or any child that can cough on command).
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab.  Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.

It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week: Make sure you know where your “safe places” are during these severe weather threats

As spring weather season begins, we want to remind you of where the safest places are to ride out these stormy possibilities:

Lightning

safe place - lightning

Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. You are safest indoors, or inside a hard-topped enclosed vehicle. Stay Weather-Ready and learn more about lightning safety at weather.gov/safety/lightning.

Extreme Wind

safe place - high winds

During high winds, tree damage is expected, and loose objects can become airborne and dangerous. You are safest indoors, away from windows, in an interior room. Stay Weather-Ready and learn more about wind safety at weather.gov/safety/wind.

Flooding

safe place - flooding

During a flood, water levels and flow speed can quickly change. You are safest by staying indoors, or seeking higher ground if shelter isn’t available. If you’re stuck outside when a flash flood occurs, do not attempt to cross flood waters by vehicle or on foot. Learn more about flood safety at weather.gov/safety/flood.

Tornadoes

safe place - tornadoes

Tornadoes can be extremely dangerous. Safe places include storm shelters and basements — but if not available, an interior room without windows can also be protective. If you receive a tornado warning, take shelter immediately! Learn more about tornado safety at: weather.gov/safety/tornado.

Mobile Test Collection Sites

The Brazos County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Department of Emergency Management are partnering to bring additional testing to Brazos County. Efforts will continue to bring additional testing to our community.

FREE COVID-19 testing will be available at the following locations.

Brazos County:

ST. TERESA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (307 Hall Street, Bryan-KIOSK IN PARISH HALL PARKING LOT): Appointments only.

Open Monday-Friday (8 am-5 pm)
https://curative.com/search#11.63/30.6305/-96.3309

CURATIVE VAN LOCATIONS

Lincoln Recreation Center (1000 Eleanor Street, College Station). Walk-up only.

Open Monday and Tuesday (8 am-5 pm)

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church (1505 Dansby St., Bryan). Walk-up only.

Open Friday and Saturday (8 am-5 pm)

 

What you need to know to get tested:

  • Testing is available for anyone above age 5 (or any child that can cough on command).
  • You do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
  • All test sites offer drive-thru testing.
  • You do not have to be a resident of Brazos County to get tested.
  • Please bring a picture ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification.
  • The test is an oral swab. Please do not eat, drink, or smoke 20 minutes prior to being tested.
  • The results take about 2-3 days to get back.
  • Results are securely sent via text message or email.
  • If there is inclement weather, the testing site will close

For more information about COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, visit texas.gov/covid19.