Today is the deadline for people in West to apply for federal assistance.
It’s been nearly eight weeks since the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion that killed 15 people and destroyed around 150 homes. So far, FEMA has registered 789 survivors and allocated $7.6 million to assist in the recovery.
But some people, including Texas State Rep. Ron Simmons, think that’s not enough.
“One of the challenges about this whole scenario is that the infrastructure of this town was taken apart, because the seismic activity that the explosion cost," Simmons said. "So, you have waterlines that are burst and all that. It’s really more like an earthquake than anything else and so we just have to stand up for our citizens.”
The federal government denied more funding for West partly because of the state’s strong financial position.
If you or someone you know needs to register with FEMA, visit the Disaster Assistance website here.
Survivors can also call 1-800-462-7585 or 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
