Cruise Ship comes up the channel to Port of Galveston, two weeks before the Port closed for Hurricane Harvey and stranded 15-20,000 people out to sea. Still not reopened as of this afternoon. Roads in and out of Galveston, as well as regional airports are still closed so who knows when they will get to go home even after they land? August, 2017

I have quite a few relatives and friends living in the path of Harvey. Have been finding out that most are alright so far, but rising waters put some still at risk. Not sure when we will know about some of them.

(Here in Santa Fe, NM we have been looking at our own disaster readiness in the face of climate change. We still have all our important papers in our 'hurricane bag', something we learned to do when we first retired down to East Bay. We are looking at solar charged battery backup generators and replacing our old Base Camp water purification bladder.)

Many many others of the 10 million people at risk from Harvey so far are not all right. The storm still is dumping water, and tornados are still a risk.

Makes me want to vomit to consider what I already knew about why Houston was not ready for Harvey.

For years enviros across the country have fought the destruction of wetlands and worked to staunch runaway development that has been allowed by the buying of politicians and other government officals.

Houston wasn’t built for a storm like this. It won’t be next time either. https://t.co/RuErSSI3a3 pic.twitter.com/1Z9Yr95mlc

— Slate (@Slate) August 28, 2017

Having moved from Austin down to the bay after we retired, having made quarterly trips down in the area when we moved away after Rita, knowing how Texas politicians and other officials have continued to favor the developers over consumers just makes me sick.

Now, with Republicans ascendant both nationally and in so may states, and neo-liberal duopoly still working against the interests of the 99 per cent, it is hard for many to be encouraged about the future.

Opinion: Why the U.S. wasn’t prepared for Hurricane Harveyhttps://t.co/fNB0FkpOVE From @GlobeDebate pic.twitter.com/KF5meko6Pd

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) August 28, 2017

And I admit to having trepidation about the coming FEMA response.

450,000 plus

Gah. Of course it is still early days, with rains multiple other hazards still being predicted for SE TX until Thursday.

FEMA: 450,000+ Harvey disaster victims and 30,000 in shelters
https://t.co/ajPn4ZoIQ9 via @KXAN_News

— Squirrel_MA (@Squirrel_MA) August 28, 2017

App For Help Via FEMA

If you need shelter, text 43362 or download @fema mobile application. #PHTV #houstonflood #Harvey pic.twitter.com/MxoRwPDU4b

— Pinoy Houston TV (@PinoyHoustonTV) August 27, 2017

More FEMA

https://t.co/xnbDuzOXQ8
To start FEMA applicationhttps://t.co/tDXo5Wusk9 to find legitimate ways to help

— Chris Behner (@ChrisBehner1) August 28, 2017

TX Insurance Law Changes Sept. 1 ; Get Claim on record NOW !

HT to TX gay politico Glen Maxey on Facebook for heads up on this, for info about the latest TX Leg fail. Here is a Press release from a law firm who wants your business, but still best source could find.

http://www.insuranceclaimrecoverysupport.com/public-adjuster-press-relea...

A new insurance bill recently passed which is a major loss for Texas property owners. House Bill 1774 further enables bad faith insurance companies to abuse policyholders deploy unfair claim handling practices that force consumers to sue insurers for underpaying, delaying or wrongfully denying “force of nature” related insurance claims. The bill is an Insurer-friendly attempt to make it harder for Policyholders to bring and litigate force of nature related property claims.

The media and insurance company lobbyists tout the bill will put an end to frivolous lawsuits surrounding weather disasters such as hailstorms and lower premiums by de-incentivizing trial lawyers gaming the system to get massive attorney’s fees. However, the new law reaches far beyond hail related occurrences, it encompasses other nature-related events including property damage covered for earthquake, wildfire, flood, tornadoes, lightning, hurricane, wind, snowstorm, or rainstorm.

HB 1774 offers little to no real mechanisms to curb lawsuits or hold insurer’s accountable for bad faith insurance claim handling acts which forces many policyholders to file lawsuits even after making reasonable efforts to settle a claim with the assistance of a licensed public insurance adjuster. The legislation limits the ability of property owners to hold insurers accountable for underpaid claims or poorly handled claims investigations.

The bill actually cuts penalties for insurers sued for underpaying, delaying or wrongfully denying storm claims, including wind and hail damage, while making it harder for those suing to collect attorneys’ fees.

HB 1774 will force a majority of claim cases into federal court, which typically takes twice as long to receive justice, adds cost and uncertainty for property owners who attempt to legally challenge insurers’ decisions. To win in federal court, the plaintiff needs a 100% unanimous jury decision vs. district court 10 out of 12.

Many insurance companies pay property owners as little and as late as possible and drag the process out as long as they can. Texans can expect more delays and denials from insurers and less accountability. The harmful effect of this new law for homeowners, businesses, churches, and schools will be state-wide.

It is also noteworthy that HB 1774 passed in the absence of a Commissioner at the Texas Department of Insurance who regulates the insurance industry and protects consumers. Previous Commissioner of Insurance David Mattax sadly passed away in April of 2017 and to date, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has not appointed a new Commissioner to the Texas Department of Insurance.

Changes to the Texas Insurance Code

The “Hailstorm Bill”, effective September 1, 2017, adds several new provisions to the Texas Insurance Code affecting first-party property insurance claims. Notably, the bill would create a new Chapter 542A for weather-related claims, which changes the requirements for pre-suit notice and inspections, allow for the assumption of agent liability, and limit the amount of recoverable attorneys’ fees. Other changes are as follows:

• Inspections – Section 542A.004 provides that the person who receives pre-suit notice may provide a written request to inspect the insured property within 30 days after receiving the notice. It further provides that the inspection is to actually occur within 60 days of the date the person receives the pre-suit notice if reasonably possible.

• Assumption of Liability – Section 542A.006 allows insurers to elect to assume whatever liability an agent might have to the claimant for the agent’s acts or omissions related to the claim by providing written notice to the claimant. An agent includes any employee, agent, representative, or adjuster acting on behalf of the insurer. Once the insurer assumes the agent’s liability, the claims against the agent must be dismissed with prejudice. By allowing assumption of an adjuster’s or insurance agent’s liability, the bill aims to make it easier for insurers to remove cases to federal court.

• Limitation of Attorneys’ Fees – If the policyholder’s attorney fails to comply with the new pre-suit notice requirements, the policyholder may be prohibited from recovering attorneys’ fees. Additionally, if a claim is tried, the amount of recoverable attorneys’ fees will be adjusted. For a claimant to recover all attorneys’ fees, the award must equal at least 80% of the pre-suit damages demand, while a pre-suit demand equaling 20-79% of the damages award allows only for a scaled percentage recovery of attorneys’ fees. Should the award be 20% or less of a claimant’s original demand, the claimant recovers no attorneys’ fees. So now there is an incentive for Insurers to pay 20% less on every claim.

• Reduced Statutory Penalty Interest – The new law lowers the penalty interest rate that insurers must pay if they fail to pay “timely and fully” from 18% per annum to a rate of adding 5% to the interest rate determined under Section 304.003 of the Finance Code, prejudgment interest which is currently 5%. Thus, the penalty is lowered from 18% to 10%. For claims to which Chapter 542A does not apply, however, the statutory penalty interest rate would still be 18%. That’s right, Texas lawmakers have lowered the penalty on Insurers who abuse the system and take advantage of consumer from 18% to 10%.

Rep. Greg Bonnen sponsored the bill passed by the Texas House. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and The Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS), which represents major homeowners insurance companies doing business in Texas, praised the passage of HB 1774.

A sample claim form for emailing, here: https://www.educationviews.org/affected-hurricane-harvey/ .

Perhaps you will add other useful links in the comments for helping people get through and move on from Harvey?

Easy to imagine that thousands won't be aware of the deadline law changes, and will have hell getting their due from Big Insurance as a consequence.

Hopefully we can help get the word out on this and the FEMA application announcement.