Recovering from a disaster
Following the May 2024 storm
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is seeking reports from cultural institutions, arts organizations and artists that suffered damage or have needs in the wake of the severe storms that hit the Houston area on May 16, 2024. Groups are asked to complete one of the following rapid damage assessment forms:
Cultural institutions, arts organizations, artists and performing groups can also call the National Heritage Responders hotline at (202) 661-8068 or send an e-mail to connect with a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation and available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.
We’ve collected online resources that may be helpful for Houstonians recovering from a disaster. Some of these materials will be useful to all property owners, while others are geared toward the owners of historic homes and buildings.
Please let us know if anything here is out of date or if you find a link that no longer works.
General resource lists and information
Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Disaster Management
Disaster Recovery / National Trust for Historic Preservation
Recovering from Disaster / Ready.gov
Post Disaster Housing Repair and Restoration / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Storm Recovery Guide [PDF]
This guide covers a variety of topics including dealing with power outages, avoiding mold, salvaging and cleaning furniture and floors, and documenting losses and claims
Preparing for a disaster
Best Practice Guide / Historic Property Owners’ Handbook / Texas Historical Commission
Toolkit for Historic Houses of Worship / UTSA Center for Cultural Sustainability
Resilient Heritage: Protecting Your Historic Home from Natural Disasters / Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
Property damage
How to Repair a Roof with Storm Damage / This Old House
Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Disaster Management
Texas Historical Commission disaster resources for historic properties
Flooding and water damage
A Guide to Drying of Historic Properties [PDF]
Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-Up of Flooded Homes [PDF]
Dealing with Mold and Mildew in Your Flood-Damaged Home [PDF]
Treatment of Older Flood-Damaged and Historic Buildings [PDF]
National Flood Insurance claim process
Saving documents, photos and objects
Save Your Family Treasures / FEMA
After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures [PDF]
Federal assistance
FEMA disaster assistance information
What to expect after you apply for FEMA aid
Thanks to our friends at Preservation Texas, Texas Historical Commission, Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and the National Trust for Historic Preservation for sharing their knowledge and experience and recommending some of these resources.