When Hurricane Ike swept through the Gulf Coast in the summer of 2008, Houston, Texas was significantly impacted, suffering millions of dollars in damages. Witt Associates was contracted to provide hazard mitigation services and assistance to the City of Houston in navigating through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) Public Assistance (PA) Program grant process.

Witt Associates is currently assisting with coordination, team development and communication with local and non-profit sub-grantees in order to maximize grant awards and reduce the likelihood of problems. We focus on communication and problem-solving with FEMA and other corresponding agencies involved in program delivery, utilizing State Public Assistance Coordinators, and Project Officers to provide overarching support.

In Houston, we are enhancing overall recovery efforts and assisting Houston in maximizing their funding from insurance and federal disaster programs by participating in applicant briefings and kickoff meetings, providing information to applicants in order to help determine possible program and damage eligibility, inspecting damage sites, ensuring a properly documented damage inspection process that facilitates less burdensome applicant claims and a quicker reimbursement, providing eligibility guidance using our staff’s comprehensive knowledge of federal PA and mitigation program eligibility requirements for other federal disaster assistance programs, and working directly with FEMA and applicants including on-site visits when appropriate.

We are also assisting in the preparation of project worksheets, reviews of requests for reimbursement, scope of work compliance, interim inspections, overruns validation and final inspections, providing insurance guidance to affected applicants, working closely with all applicants to promote a professional forum for all parties, and making sure the claim process moves forward; assisting affected applicants with completing debris removal documents, working with the city to promptly review debris removal documents, and to facilitate the reimbursement process; and advocating for maximum benefits for both state and local applicants with FEMA.

In addition, Witt Associates has brought the most experienced and tested HMGP team in the United States to the City of Houston to assist with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and hazard mitigation planning, both of which are important factors in the recovery of the City of Houston. Witt Associates staff is working hand-in-hand with city departments to develop HMGP project applications for submission and consideration by state mitigation personnel.