Waller County Fire Victims Turn to FEMA for Help
[Houston] Wildfire victims in Waller County are seeking assistance from the federal government as they strive to rebuild everything they’ve lost.
Diana Ballard’s dream home looks like a war zone after wildfires burned everything she had in the Remington Forest Subdivision Near Magnolia.
Ballard cleared her throat and fought back tears.
“It’s hard to take,” she said.
Ballard applied for disaster assistance from FEMA and help may be on the way.
On Thursday, inspectors arrived, took pictures and documented her losses.
A spokesman for FEMA said Ballard may qualify for grants to help pay for losses not covered by her insurance.
FEMA said some people could get checks in less than three weeks.
So far, nearly 200 people have applied for help from FEMA after wildfires destroyed homes in Waller, Grimes and Montgomery counties earlier this month.
Ken Snyder said he lost everything too and is hoping to qualify for assistance. The young veteran sifted through ashes looking for metals he received while serving in the Navy.
“It’s all sentimental value. It’s stuff that can’t be replaced,” he said.
The only thing that survived at Diana Ballard’s home was a 30-year-old nativity set made out of ceramic material. She found it under the ashes with a few burn marks and cracks. She hopes to have a new home built on the same property by Christmas and the nativity set will be front and center.
More info: Disasterassistance.gov
1-800-621-3362
