Author: Ken Smith

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.

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.

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.

Assistance in the Wake of the Winter Storm

Disaster assistance may be available to Brazos County residents adversely affected by last week’s winter storm. Residents who suffered snow and ice damage can apply for federal funds at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Anyone with insurance is asked to first contact their insurance company and then FEMA, as insurance claim information is needed in determining eligibility for federal assistance. Those without insurance can go directly to DisasterAssistance.gov to begin the process of filing an application. (FEMA is unable to reimburse lost food due to power outages, but volunteer organizations may be able to help if food assistance is needed. Call 211 for more.) FEMA has also partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest disaster loans. More information is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4586.

After submitting an application, FEMA will notify each person either via tradition mail service or email.

To get a better picture of the damage in each county, the State of Texas is asking residents to take part in a survey, either by going to https://arcg.is/uOrOb or using the QR Code:

qr code assistance winter storm

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:

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

BRIAN BACHMANN COMMUNITY PARK (1600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station). Drive-thru only. 

February 23-25 (11 am-7 pm)

CURATIVE VAN LOCATION: NEW ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH (1505 Dansby St., Bryan)  Walk-up only. 

February 12 & 13 (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.

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

 

BRIAN BACHMANN COMMUNITY PARK (1600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station). Drive-thru only. 

  • February 2, 3, & 4 (11 am-7 pm)
  • February 9, 10, & 11 (11 am-7 pm)

 

Curative Van Locations

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

  • February 1 & 2 (8 am-5 pm) 

 

Twin City Mission (410 Randolph Avenue, Bryan). Walk-up only. 

  • February 4 (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.