The Texas Historical Commission is ready to help government agencies impacted by weather events, whether caring for your own historic properties or navigating preservation regulations while assisting your community. On this page, you will find sources of funding assistance for government agencies, project review requirements, and technical preservation assistance resources, including information on caring for truss bridges and cemeteries. If we can offer further guidance, please contact the Division of Architecture at 512-463-6094.
Funding Assistance
- Hurricane Harvey Disaster Assistance
The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Texas a $12.3 grant for historic preservation projects. The emergency grant program will address damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey. The Texas Historical Commission is managing the grant program for the State of Texas. - Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance
Public Assistance can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of a public facility or infrastructure damaged or destroyed by a disaster.- FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Harvey
FEMA's resource specifically for Texans affecting by Hurricane Harvey provides information about applying for assistance, tips for cleaning up, information about the National Flood Insurance Program, and more.
- FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Harvey
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates the state emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters.- Texas Hurricane Center
The Texas Hurricane Center has information on a variety of types of assistance available to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
- Texas Hurricane Center
- The Texas General Land Office
The Land Office's Community Development and Revitalization Program manages a number of non-housing activities that include infrastructure projects, economic development and long-term planning. - Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
The Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit (THPTC) program can provide financial relief for property owners, by offsetting financial costs related to post-disaster recovery of designated historic buildings. State-owned public universities and colleges are eligible, but no other government entities can participate at this time. - Economic Development Administration
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to address economic challenges in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. - Additional funding resources are listed in the Funding and Assistance for Preservation Projects guide.
Government Regulatory Assistance
- Role of Section 106 in Disaster Response - FAQs
Projects receiving federal funding or assistance require review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This page assists State Historic Preservation Officers, such as the THC, and other partners in addressing Section 106 requirements during disaster response efforts.- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation E-Learning Courses
The federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) now offers online courses on Section 106 topics. Each course offers self-paced interactive presentations and downloadable reference documents. - eTRAC Submission Guide
The THC developed an electronic THC Review and Compliance (eTRAC) system to help streamline project review. The eTRAC system is for projects that THC reviews unders the Antiquities Code of Texas and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. We encourage its use if you have been tasked with initiating consultation with our office. To register for and use the system, please read the Users Guide.
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation E-Learning Courses
- State Review of Work to Designated Historic Properties
If your building has historic designations, is a current or former county courthouse, or is subject to a preservation covenant or easement, the Texas Historical Commission must review permanent repairs. To verify designations, you may visit the Historic Sites Atlas or contact THC staff. For more information, please contact the Division of Architecture at 512-463-6094 or find the Architecture or Courthouse contact for your county.
Technical Preservation Assistance Resources
There are a wide variety of resources that provide practical steps in preparing for and recovering from a disaster. Because these resources are useful for any property owner, regardless of what they own, they are listed together. Learn more about Technical Preservation Assistance.
Truss bridges
- The Texas Department of Transportation has developed guidance for addressing flood damage to truss bridges.
Cemeteries
- Cemetery Disaster Planning by the Chicora Foundation, Inc., is a comprehensive look at how to prepare for emergencies in advance and also includes valuable tips for how to respond in the aftermath of a disaster.
- The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training also offers guidance for recovery efforts in historic cemeteries in this blog post and related links.
