UPDATE: Texas Governor Greg Abbott was joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Director of A&M Agriculture Rick Avery, and other leaders to provide an update on the state's response to the Texas Panhandle wildfires.
Gov. Abbott called for help from others to donate resources. The main two things asked for recovery are fencing and feeding resources for cattle. Hay is the number one item for cattle near the wildfire.
Local hospitals are also helping those in need. You can visit their website to help donate here.
The Texas Panhandle is reeling thanks to the still burning, devastating wildfires that have left more than a million acres of land scorched and families displaced.
Dr. Ronald Schumann III, an associate professor in emergency management and disaster science at the University of North Texas, shed light on the challenges faced by the communities in the aftermath of tragic wildfires.
Short-term recovery after a wildfire is markedly different from other natural disasters. This poses an immediate burden on those seeking to restore normalcy to their lives.
"So much of the debris is hazardous materials," Dr. Schumann explains. "Fire changes the chemical compounds of household materials, and a lot of that has to be remediated by a professional company."
Apart from housing displacement and demand for rentals, the geography of the affected areas poses unique challenges.
"A lot of folks rely on friends, relatives, family to house them here in the short term, but the rental crunch will come as that housing stock is reduced," Dr. Schumann noted.
These factors, combined with the vast expanse of the region, make it tougher for resources to reach the area efficiently.
Dr. Schumann also specializes in addressing the prevention of such calamities. He emphasized the importance of rebuilding with fire-resistant materials and creating defensible spaces around properties.
Texas, as of now, lacks state-level requirements for fireproof housing, making it crucial for individuals to realize the significance of living with fire in the region and actively take steps to mitigate the risk.
"It really comes down to the individual homeowner realizing that fire is something that in a warming climate we'll be living increasingly in the Panhandle," Dr. Schumann noted. "So it just makes sense to do this. For every $1 you spend on these kinds of mitigation or risk reduction features, you're going to save $3 in the long run."
Additionally, Dr. Schumann has found through his research that the recovery process can take a heavy toll on mental health.
"Having to mentally go through every room of their house in their mind, of course, the house is gone, but to list everything to try and get insurance claims," he explained.
Mental health resources, including the American Red Cross, are available to provide necessary support during the recovery period.
As the rebuilding process begins, Dr. Schumann advises homeowners to be cautious of potential contractor fraud and to vet contractors properly.
"Make sure that you're asking about the contractor's credentials, getting a license number, going online with your county to vet them, make sure that they have a valid contractor's license in your county," he urged.
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