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- Winter Weather Event - February 2021
Winter Storm Recovery Relief by Sugar Land City Council
Sugar Land City Council recently approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to take actions necessary to speed recovery relief for citizens.
Jennifer Brown, Director of Finance, provides an overview of actions taken to speed recovery relief.
Water/Utility Bills
The city will consider adjustments to water bills affected by high usage from winter storm damages. To request an adjustment, documentation of a leaking or broken pipe will be necessary. The adjustment will only be made to water and surface water charges. Residential wastewater charges are a fixed amount based on a customer’s two-month winter average and therefore are unaffected by a leak.
Leak Adjustment Credit Form
Complete and submit this form if you would like to request an adjustment to your water utility account for the increased water usage during the billing period that covers the week of February 14-21, 2021.
Calculations for 2021 winter averages will be based on last year’s average to ensure excessive water usage related to the recent winter storm doesn’t create higher than normal winter averages. Residents may request a review of their account by June 30th if they believe their 2021 average is lower and use the lower of the two for billing purposes. To request a review of your winter average, please email treasury@sugarlandtx.gov
Residents may also request a payment plan if they encounter financial difficulties. Payment plans allow customers to pay the outstanding balances over a longer period along with current charges with no further penalties or disconnection.
* Utility Billing Questions? Call Treasury at 281-275-2750 *
For utility billing questions – including an adjustment request, the use of this year’s consumption for the wastewater winter average calculation or payment plan discussions – contact Treasury Management at (281) 275-2750 to speak with a customer service representative.
Customers who are on automatic bank draft and receive an unusually high bill should contact the city as soon as possible to avoid having large payments drafted from their account.
Permit and Inspection Process
The permit and inspection process is being streamlined to allow faster repairs to damaged homes and businesses while still providing an inspection process to help protect residents and businesses by ensuring all appropriate codes are followed. This will include the following items through May 1:
- Permit fees for repairs needed as a result of the winter storm will be temporarily waived.
- For repairs requiring a permit and inspection, inspections can be conducted in-person or virtually or even through the submittal of photo documentation to expedite the inspection process.
- Homeowners completing repairs on their homestead won’t need to have the homestead exemption form notarized as part of the permit process.
- Contractors registering with the City to perform repairs related to the winter storm will have their annual registration fee waived.
- Food establishments with damage repairs can have construction and pre-opening inspection fees waived.
Are you considering a home generator?
If you're thinking about getting a new residential home generator, know the permit requirements before you start.
Winter Storm Repairs - Do you need a permit?
Check out this quick reference to know if your repair work might require a permit.
Recovery Resources and Information
Immediate Needs
If you have immediate needs for food and shelter, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211Texas.org
Financial Assistance - Greater Coastal Community Action Council
Residents of Fort Bend County that are in need of financial assistance with rent, utility bills and more are eligible.
How to Spot and Report Price Gouging
Report to Texas Attorney General Office at 1-800-621-0508
Home Repairs
If you sustained damages due to the winter storms and have insurance, document your damages before you start the clean-up process.
Take photos of damages
- Start your insurance claim
- Save your expense receipts
- Report your damages to Texas Division of Emergency Management: http://ow.ly/Ehzd50DFvvi
What to do if your pipes burst
- Document your damage by taking pictures
- Contact a plumber
- Contact your homeowners insurance (most homeowner policies cover sudden and accidental water damage)
- Contact your flood insurance (in the event your homeowners doesn’t cover)
- Keep all receipts (pending reimbursement plan from state/federal partners)
View more information about water-damage coverage and claims on the Texas Department of Insurance website.
Report Your Disaster Damage
Texans are encouraged to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather. Reporting damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency, and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.
Visit arcg.is/uOrOb to report your damages!
Federal Aid Available
FEMA announced federal emergency aid has been made available to Houstonians who suffered uninsured property damage as a result of the severe winter storm. The fastest and most efficient way to apply for disaster assistance:
- Visit 👉http://disasterassistance.gov there is no waiting required and the site is available 24/7.
- Call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY
Apply now if you don't have insurance and your home was damaged by the severe winter storms in one of the designated counties.
Help with Insurance Claims
- Texas Department of Insurance - 800-252-3439
www.tdi.texas.gov - Lone Star Legal Aid - 713-652-0277
www.lonestarlegalaid.org - Additional information on water damage coverage and claims
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb074.html
Need Help with Home Repairs?
- Samaritan’s Purse - 828-262-1980
www.samaritanspurse.org - Texans Recovering Together - 281-332-3472
www.gulfcoastcenter.org - Just Serve - 832-768-3062
www.justserve.org - Houston Catholic Charities - 281-202-6200
https://catholiccharities.org/ - United Way Ft. Bend County - 281-207-2300
https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/ - Fort Bend Recovers
www.fortbendrecovers.org - United Way Brazoria County - 979-849-9402
www.uwbc.org - Pearland Area Citizens Corp - 281-997-9777
www.pearlandcc.org - Homeland Preparedness Project - 281-844-3653
www.homelandpreparedness.org - Crisis Cleanup Hotline - 844-965-1386
https://www.crisiscleanup.org/login?from=%2F (Use Chrome or Firefox Internet browsers to open link) - Sugar Land St. Laurence Catholic Church’s Habitat for Humanity Steve Pondell - 281-253-7088 spondell@comcast.net
- Sugar Land Christ (Methodist) Church Renee Teel 281-690-4755 reneet@christchurchsl.org (assistance with assessments, sheetrock installation, muck/gut cleaning; plumbing assistance not available)
Food Pantries
- Attack Poverty- 832-847-4379
https://attackpoverty.org/ - Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels - 281-633-7049
https://fortbendseniors.org/ - Katy Christian Ministries Food Pantry - 281-391-5261
https://ktcm.org/foodpantry/ - East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry - 281-261-1006
https://www.humanneeds.org/
- Second Mile - 281-261-9199
https://www.secondmile.org/ - Pearland Neighborhood Center - 281-485-1987
https://pnctexas.com/ - Alvin-Manvel Community Food Pantry - 281-824-8871
- Brazoria County Dream Center - 979-388-0280
https://www.bcdreamcenter.org/ - Christians Helping Hands - 281-485-9776
http://www.christianhelpinghands.org/
Mental Health
- Texans Recovering Together Counseling Program - 936-521-6331
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Fort Bend County Mental Health Resource Line - 832-363-7094
- Texana Center 24 Hour Crisis Hotline (Fort Bend County Residents) - 1-800-633-5686
- Fort Bend Crisis Intervention Team - 281-341-4665 and ask for CIT
- Access Health Behavioral Health - 281-342-4530
- Nami Gulf Coast - 281-585-3100
www.namigulfcoast.org - Counseling Connections for Change - 281-485-9280
www.counselingconnections.org
Electricity Related Information
From the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC):
Information for Businesses
SBA Stands Ready to Assist Texas Businesses and Residents Affected by the Severe Winter Storms
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
Cold Weather Safety Tips
Protect People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants
As extreme cold weather approaches, remember "The Four P's"
People | Pets | Pipes | Plants |
---|---|---|---|
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Emergency Notification System Sign Up
Providing your contact information ensures you receive urgent community alerts to residential, business or cell phone as well as e-mail, text message or devices for the hearing and speech impaired. We can reach thousands of citizens with one phone call. Sign up today.
Check Traffic and Road Conditions
If you must travel, use Sugar Land's Real-Time Traffic Conditions Map to check traffic and road conditions before you head out.
Helpful Links
- FEMA - Snowstorms & Extreme Cold
- National Weather Service - Safety Tips & Resources
- CDC - Extreme Cold Safety
- CDC - Indoor Safety During a Winter Storm @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
- Red Cross - Top Ten Cold Weather Safety Tips
- NIH - Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults
- What is Freezing Rain? @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Keeping Your Home Safe
- Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer.
- The City does not turn off the water at the meter to prevent frozen pipes.
- Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
- If a pipe bursts:
- Locate and shut off water at the main valve
- If the main valve cannot be located, call 311 or 281-275-2900 and the city's utility staff will come and turn off the water at the meter
- Call a plumber
- Learn how to drain your sprinkler system to prevent freezing
- Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
- Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide related deaths are highest during colder months.
- Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
Portable Space Heater Safety
Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. If not used properly, they can cause fires, severe injuries, and death. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm.
- Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, carpets, curtains, and people.
- Place heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces.
- Never block exits with a heater and keep them out of the way of foot traffic.
- Keep children away from heaters.
- Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets – NEVER use an extension cord.
- Turn off and unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.