Real Estate Photographer in Kerrville, TX
If there's one thing that we've learned after years of success in the real estate photography industry, it's that first impressions are super important. Sure, looking your best on a first date might score you some brownie points. But in the real estate business, making a stellar first impression can mean the difference between selling a property and losing a client.
If you're reading this page, chances are you're involved in real estate in some form or fashion, whether you're an agent, builder, interior designer, or architect. You're probably in need of a professional real estate photographer in Kerrville, TX but aren't sure which company to trust. We get it - you're making an investment into your business and need to know that you're working with talented professionals. Fortunately, you can scratch those other names off your list, because you're just a few clicks away from working with THE best real estate photography firm in Texas!
Welcome to Twist Tours Real Estate and Portfolio Marketing Services: your go-to group for modern real estate photography and interactive virtual tours. We're proud to be a local company, serving Central Texas Drone photography, video with awesome real estate photography, 3D Matterport models, 2D + 3D floor plans, and premium single property websites.!
Unlike some of our competitors, we care just as much about how our products look as you do. That's why we make it a point to provide our customers with the finest photography and friendliest customer service in the game. Our professional photographers utilize the latest technology and equipment, so you can rest easy knowing your photos will look incredible. With a team of creative superstars by our side, we're always on top of new marketing trends and photography techniques. That way, sellers get what they deserve, and buyers get what they want: the very best real estate photography available in Texas.
Our photographers and Matterport scanners are ridiculously great at what they do. Plus, our support team is made up of bona fide superstars. So, if you have questions or concerns, we're more than happy to chat with you.
Our photography and videography expertise includes:

Real Estate Photography

Online Tours

3D Models

Aerial Photography

Floor Plans

Virtual Staging
Unmatched Real Estate Photography in Kerrville, TX
We've all heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words," and in today's digitally-dominant world, that saying is more poignant than ever. In real estate, pictures have a huge impact on whether a home is sold or passed by. That's especially true in a time when prospective homebuyers are less likely to travel in-person to tour a home in their price range.
With more time on their hands to peruse real estate listings, buyers are inundated with all sorts of images, which is why your real estate photos must stand out from the crowd. Once buyers filter through property locations, pricing, nearby school districts, and square footage, they want to flip through photos. If your pictures aren't up to snuff, you can be sure the homebuyer will move to the next listing.
Fortunately, Twist Tours is here to provide you with high-resolution, creative photography for your real estate needs - whether you're listing a brand-new home or selling a property that has been on the market too long.
We believe Twist Tours stands apart because we do more than capturing a visual record of a home. Instead, your Twist Tours real estate photographer develops an emotional bridge between potential buyers and real estate listings by enhancing the home's true character. Every aspect of our real estate photos, drone shots, videos, and tours are carefully engineered to bring your property to life

With a staff of highly-trained, innovative real estate photographers, there's no project too large or "out of the box" for us to handle. And we're not just talking real estate photography in the classic sense - we have successful clients in many different industries, who use our photographers for:
Interior Design

Lighting Design

Office Building

Medical Office

Landscape Design

Event Venue


Apartment Rental

Commercial Property

Restaurant

Vacation Rental

Spa & Retreat

Out of the Box Projects
Cutting-Edge Virtual Tour Photography
At Twist Tours, we believe that virtual tours and walkthroughs have a secure place in the real estate industry. Every agent needs access to great property walkthroughs, which is why we offer several imaginative tour options for every budget. We provide three types of full-service virtual tours: photo tours, floor plan tours, and our most popular option, 360-degree walkthrough tours. We also provide custom 3D Matterport services complete with photography, floor plans, and aerial video for clients in our service area. Not located in Austin or San Antonio? Our self-service options are a great choice, even if you're located in another country.

What is 3D Matterport?
Before we give you a breakdown covering our real estate tours, you might wonder: what is Matterport 3D?
These immersive walkthroughs bring properties to life, almost like a life-sized dollhouse that buyers can tour. Matterport's incredible tours help the top real estate brokerages and even FSBO pros sell homes quickly and win listings by giving homebuyers the chance to experience your property as if they were really there.
Our 3D Matterport experts scan your home, and when it's all said and done, you'll have an incredible 3D showcase highlighting all the bells and whistles of your listing. If you're looking to get a leg up on your competition, here's your chance!
3D Degree Walkthrough Tours
If you're really looking to take your real estate game to the next level, a 360-degree tour is the way to go. By far our most popular tour, our 360-degree tours feature premium single-property websites that combine the 3D Matterport space, floor plan, and professional photo packages into an amazing interactive online presentation experience. Additionally, clients can choose to include an interactive 2D floor plan or a 3D floorplan feature that looks like HGTV's like Room Planner. We can even include a virtual walkthrough video, walkthrough tours that are optimized for mobile devices, brand logos, and detailed buyers' tools.

1.
Floor Plan Tours
These custom walkthroughs feature floor and photo tours that display on a premium single property website. Our floor plan tours include a stunning virtual walkthrough tour, a gallery of professional photos, an interactive 3D and 2D floorplan with an HGTV-style Room Planner, and more.

2.
Photo Tours
These tours contain professional photos from our team of photographers, displayed in a single-property premium landing page that comes with a beautiful gallery display, the virtual walkthrough video tour, along with your digital branding materials.

Along with our virtual tour packages, clients may choose additional features, including:
Real Estate Videos: Excellent real estate videography in Kerrville, TX is hard to find, especially if you're working on a budget. Luckily, Twist is here to save the day. We take your YouTube videos to another level of awesome with video clips, agent bookends, entry slides, and exit slides. Choose the exact copy you would like displayed, and our team will automatically upload it to your YouTube channel.
FREE 3D Floor Plans: Yep, you read that right. Our 3D floor plans with Room Planner are 100% free and let buyers edit, visualize, and plan their spaces in 3D.
Tour Reports: What good would a virtual tour be without actionable insights for you to monitor? We offer detailed stats on tour visits, sites referring your virtual tour, and more. Our tour reports are emailed directly to your email account so that you have easy access on a regular basis.
Custom Brochures: Twist Tours offers more than 15 personalized templates, which have our floor plans built-in for online and offline marketing needs.
Syndicate Your Tour: We can place your virtual tour on the MLS listing, on realtor.com, and YouTube platforms.
Interactive Floor Plan Tours: Let tour viewers interact directly with your floor plan with the addition of interactive features, like point & click hotspots. This feature is especially useful for mobile users.
Lead Capture: Our unique Lead Capture technology will drive more photo clicks and turn your real estate virtual tour into a lead-making machine.
Aerial Video and Photography Services for Real Estate
Nothing showcases your property quite like professional aerial video and photography. With our drone photography services, you can turn lookers into buyers by giving them a unique vantage point of your commercial or residential property. If you're looking to set your real estate business apart from your competition, drone photography and video is the way to go.
Aerial photography adds an extra layer of "special" to your real estate photos, taking your listing from dull to downright beautiful. Sellers want to work with agents willing to entertain creative ways to sell homes. Buyers want to see every nook and cranny of the home they're interested in buying. With aerial real estate photography, you get the best of both worlds.
Benefits of aerial real estate photography and video include:

Property Location
If you're a real estate expert, we bet you're used to hearing the saying "location, location, location." One of the greatest benefits of aerial real estate photography is the chance to see where a home is located with respect to parks, restaurants, and other attractions. If you need to capture the entirety of a property's layout, take to the skies.

Property Accuracy
Taking pictures is one of the most important steps in selling a home. Generally, exterior real estate photos are taken from common locations like driveways, back yards, and on decks. Aerial real estate photography and videography can show a more accurate, robust depiction of a home for sale, giving buyers a more complete picture of the home they're looking to buy.

Tell a Better Story
Excellent storytelling is one of the most reliable keys to real estate sales. On the one hand, buyers want to know exactly where their money will be going when buying a home. On the other hand, sellers want to work with an agent who has more than the typical tools of the trade on hand. When coupled with interactive virtual tours, hiring a Twist real estate videographer in Kerrville, TX can help realtors tell a more captivating story.

Commercial Real Estate Photography Services
Ever considered professional real estate photography for your commercial business needs? Making a first strong impression is an incredible asset to your business. Doing so is equally as important for commercial purposes as it is for residential real estate reasons. With Twist Tours, your prospective clients can access online 3D virtual tours filled with stunning HDR real estate photography to give them a full picture of what you're selling. With our floor plan and room planner tours, you can even implement our real estate photos in your print marketing materials.
But that's just the start. A few additional benefits of commercial real estate photography include:
1.
Give Buyers What They Want:
The Wall Street Journal recently published a piece about the best ways to sell a commercial property. Their research found that buyers spent 60% of their time looking at photos on a property page. Knowing this, you must find creative ways to make your listings and marketing materials stand out. A lack of dazzling, positive imagery could mean you lose out on a sale or a tenant.

2.
More Clicks and Shares:
When prospective buyers or tenants are captivated by a real estate photo, they are very likely to click through to your website. Pictures with the right mix of professionalism and pizzaz are also share-worthy, meaning your commercial property for sale will reach a wider audience.

3.
Get That Great First Impression:
For buyers or tenants to take your commercial property seriously, your real estate images must make a positive impression by being HDR, modern, and beautiful.

Do the Twist
Guess what? At Twist Tours, we love our clients. Not just because of the fantastic relationships we've formed with builders, brokers, owners, designers, agents, and their staff - but because they get it. They know how important a strong first impression can be in the real estate industry. The only thing we love more than meeting new clients is helping them grow their business. If you're ready to get started on more success, we're here to help.
Need detailed pricing? Click over to our website to use our cost calculator and check out our photography packages. We look forward to hearing from you today!

Free Consultation
Latest News Near Me Kerrville, TX
Guadalupe River Flood: How to help, and how to find help
Texas Standardhttps://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-flooding-help-shelters-relief-fund/
Several groups have mobilized to offer assistance to people affected by the Guadalupe River floods.Kerrville officials invited the public to monitor their city’s Facebook page for the latest developments from that area.– For campers: Your reunification center is at Ingram Elementary School at 125 Brave Run W, Ingram, TX 78025.– For non-campers: Your reunification center is at Arcadia Live The...
Several groups have mobilized to offer assistance to people affected by the Guadalupe River floods.
Kerrville officials invited the public to monitor their city’s Facebook page for the latest developments from that area.
– For campers: Your reunification center is at Ingram Elementary School at 125 Brave Run W, Ingram, TX 78025.
– For non-campers: Your reunification center is at Arcadia Live Theater — 717 Water St, Kerrville, TX 78028
Shelters for those displaced by the flooding have been set up in Kerrville at these locations:
– Medical shelter at First United Methodist Church — 321 Thompson Drive Kerrville, TX 78028
– Congregate shelter at Calvary Temple Church — 3000 Loop 534 Kerrville, TX 78028
– Notre Dame Catholic Church — 929 Main Street Notre Dame Catholic Church Kerrville, TX 78028
– Schreiner University — Event Center, 2100 Memorial Boulevard
Authorities also advised people to call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 if they were trying to locate a loved one.
– The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country established the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to assist relief and recovery efforts. More information here.
– Pick up/drop off of food, water, supplies, clothing established at Cross Kingdom Church, 3044 Junction Highway, Kerrville, TX 78025.
– Project Mend, which restores medical equipment for reuse, also offered to help provide “wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, walkers, or rollators” to people affected by the floods. More information at its website or call 210-429-4057.
Correction: A previous version of this story listed the wrong location for the camper reunification center. That is at Ingram Elementary School.
What we know about the Camp Mystic girls still missing after devastating floods in Central Texas
Peter Warrenhttps://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/camp-mystic-girls-missing-20464489.php
Families are awaiting word on about 20 girls still missing after major flooding devastated Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp in Kerr County.Here are some of the people who a...
Families are awaiting word on about 20 girls still missing after major flooding devastated Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp in Kerr County.
Here are some of the people who are missing.
Molly DeWitt
Molly DeWitt of Houston is among those missing, according to social media posts and a Fox 26 report.
Virginia Hollis
Former Astros and current Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman posted a screenshot asking for help finding a girl named "Virginia Hollis" with a caption of three praying emojis.
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) July 4, 2025
Janie Hunt
Janie Hunt's mother told CNN that she doesn't know where her daughter is.
Hadley Hanna
Hadley Hanna, an 8-year-old from Dallas, is among the girls who is missing.
Hadley's mother, Carrie Crossman Hann, told WFAA in Dallas that she received a call Friday from the camp that her daughter was missing.
Katherine Ferruzzo
Katherine Ferruzzo, 19, is from Houston and was working as a Camp Mystic counselor. She recently graduated from Memorial High School and was set to attend the University of Texas, where she planned to major in early childhood education.
Lainey Landry
Lainey Landry, a 9-year-old from Houston, is missing, according to a report from ABC 13.
Kellyanne Lytal
Kellyanne Lytal is among those missing, according to Peyton Yager of Fox 4 in Dallas.
— Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) July 4, 2025
Blakely McCrory, 8, had spent just five days at the camp before the flood hit, her grandfather, E. Douglas McLeod, of Galveston said.
McLeod’s family has spent close to 100 years attending summer camps in the Hill County. It was at a camp dance that he and his wife first met, he said.
Blaklely, the youngest member of the family, had been excited to participate in the family tradition, he said.
“She wanted to follow in the footsteps of all of us,” McLeod said.
The family was holding out hope on Saturday that she would still be found.
“She was a precocious, sweet little girl,” McLeod said.”That’s what we’re praying for. That there’s a miracle.”
Blakely’s time at the camp also came just two months after her father, Blake McCrory, died of a heart attack, McLeod said.
McLeod said some family members, including Blakely’s older brother, had gone to the Kerrville area to help with the search effort. Blakely’s mother was at a wedding overseas and was traveling back to Texas on Saturday.
Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner
Eloise Peck's mother told Peyton Yager of Fox 4 in Dallas that her daughter and friend Lila Bonner were missing.
NBC News reported that Lila Bonner, one of the young girls reported missing from Camp Mystic, was confirmed deceased by her family.
"In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time," the statement said, according to NBC. "We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly."
JUST IN: 23 girls are unaccounted for from the TX Hill Country summer camp Camp Mystic due to the flooding along the Guadalupe River. 2 Dallas girls are among the missing. Eloise Peck’s mom sent us this photo of Eloise (left) and her friend Lila Bonner. @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/bBPd43nvEB
— Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) July 4, 2025
Peyton Yager of Fox 4 in Dallas reported that Renee Smajstrla is among those missing. No other information on Renee was provided in the report.
— Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) July 4, 2025
Greta Toranzo
Greta Toranzo, an HISD student, is among those missing, according to the Sinclair Elementary School PTO.
"As of this morning, Greta is still missing. We encourage everyone to continue sharing her picture and to continue sending positive energy to her friends and family during this unimaginable time. ...Toranzo Family, please know the entire Sinclair community holds you in our hearts.
Several North Texas families, children reported missing amid deadly flooding in Central Texas
Author Rachel Behrndthttps://www.wfaa.com/article/weather/central-texas-flash-flooding-missing-people-north-texas/287-5473b381-5191-4988-9ab6-b2ddd05aebb8
Severe flooding in Central Texas claimed at least 27 lives and left dozens missing, officials said.KERRVILLE, Texas — Catastrophic and deadly flooding hit Central Texas on July 4, causing dozens of people to be reported missing and dead Saturday morning.At least 27 people were conf...
Severe flooding in Central Texas claimed at least 27 lives and left dozens missing, officials said.
KERRVILLE, Texas — Catastrophic and deadly flooding hit Central Texas on July 4, causing dozens of people to be reported missing and dead Saturday morning.
At least 27 people were confirmed dead Saturday morning, Kerrville officials said in a press conference. Of the 27 bodies found, 18 are adults and nine of them are children. Six of the adults were unidentified, and one child was unidentified as of 9 a.m.
Officials said more than 850 people were rescued from the flooding. Some people were found clinging to trees for hours while waiting for help, officials said.
The area is home to several camps, including Camp Mystic, where more than 20 kids are missing from the camp, officials said.
Kerr County and Kerrville officials say they are working closely with state and federal officials for assistance in the search and rescue operations.
"People need to know today will be a hard day," Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said during the news conference. "Please pray for our community."
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said families can report people who are still missing by calling 830-258-1111 or by sending an email to floodrecovery@co.kerr.tx.us.
The Kerr County Sheriff's Office said people can call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to find out about missing loved ones. Reunification centers were set up at Ingram Elementary School in Ingram and the Arcadia Live Theater in Kerrville.
The following are North Texas families and children who are confirmed missing or are confirmed deceased by their families. Several more people are reported missing, but WFAA has not been able to confirm their status with family:
Eric Steele confirmed to WFAA that his brother-in-law, Jeff Ramsey, died after floodwaters rushed through the HTR campground along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville overnight on Friday, where the family was staying. Jeff's wife, Tanya Ramsey, remains missing as of 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
Carrie Crossman Hanna told WFAA she heard from Camp Mystic today that her daughter, Hadley Hanna, is one of the girls currently unaccounted for at Camp Mystic.
Robert Brake, 67, and Joni Brake, 66, were visiting their youngest son, who lives in an RV near the Guadalupe River, when conditions worsened early Friday morning. The couple was staying in a nearby cabin at the time, the family said.
Ty Mabey of Mansfield was last seen around 5 a.m. at the HTR campground in Kerrville. Her family is hoping for information about her whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call Chelsey Rustenhaven at 469-951-3210.
Homes torn apart, North Texas families mourning their daughters after Kerrville flooding
Keenan Willardhttps://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/homes-torn-apart-north-texas-families-mourning-their-daughters-after-kerrville-flooding/3878797/
Many people living in Kerr County are dealing with the loss of their homes – as well as more than 30 of their friends and neighbors after historic flooding devastated the Hill Country.And families in North Texas are mourning their daughters who are among those deceased victims swept away from a riverside summer camp.HOMES DESTROYED BY GUADALUPE RIVERAiden Duncan has been de...
Many people living in Kerr County are dealing with the loss of their homes – as well as more than 30 of their friends and neighbors after historic flooding devastated the Hill Country.
And families in North Texas are mourning their daughters who are among those deceased victims swept away from a riverside summer camp.
HOMES DESTROYED BY GUADALUPE RIVER
Aiden Duncan has been dealing with a home and a city torn apart.
He was in his family’s RV by the Guadalupe River in Kerrville early Friday morning when the sirens started sounding and first responders told them to evacuate.
“From here all the way up, it was all gone, it was all flooded,” said Duncan.
The river’s record rise of more than 20 feet had torn apart the landscape and carried off or severely damaged homes, including Adiel Carrizales’s.
He took his three boys to safety and tried to come back for their belongings.
“But by the time I came back the water was already right here,” said Carrizales. “I’m just glad everybody was able to get out of here, I know people are dealing with a lot more than we are.”
Officials said as of Saturday afternoon at least 32 people were confirmed dead in the flooding.
NORTH TEXAS GIRLS SWEPT AWAY FROM CAMP MYSTIC
NBC 5 has learned that several of them are North Texas girls who were swept away from Camp Mystic along the river near Hunt, Texas.
Loved ones told us camper Janie Hunt from Dallas was found deceased after the flood.
The family of Dallas elementary schooler Lila Bonner said she had also passed away.
“In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” said Bonner’s family. “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”
As of Saturday afternoon, families told NBC 5 that Eloise Peck and Wynne Naylor from Dallas were still missing from the camp.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR VICTIMS OF CENTRAL TEXAS FLOOD
“It hurts honestly,” said Duncan.
In Kerrville, state leaders said they were proud of the resilience of Texans – and they wouldn’t stop searching until every missing person was found.
Still, those who live in and love the Hill Country have been struggling to look away from its new scars.
“If you just look at all the devastation it’s horrible,” said Duncan. “All of it’s gone.”
How to help with Central Texas flood relief
In response to questions about what people can do to help the area recover from the deadly flood, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) charity serving the Texas Hill Country, has established a relief fund to support vetted local response, relief and recovery efforts.
Organizers said all donations go directly to organizations working on the front lines of the July 4 flooding emergency. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your gift.
To learn more or donate, visit the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country here.
Hill Country flooding: Here’s how to give and receive help
Texas Tribune Staffhttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/texas-hill-country-flooding-how-to-help/
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.The Texas Hill Country is reeling after a devastating flood with a confirmed death toll of 43 as of Saturday afternoon. The Kerr County’s sheriff's office said the victims include 28 adults and 15 c...
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
The Texas Hill Country is reeling after a devastating flood with a confirmed death toll of 43 as of Saturday afternoon. The Kerr County’s sheriff's office said the victims include 28 adults and 15 children.
Rescue efforts are still underway as authorities search for 27 girls who went missing from Camp Mystic, a long-running Christian camp. With families turning to social media for answers, officials warn the full scope of the disaster may not be known yet.
Texas still faces flood threats as officials warn caution. Saturday's forecast predicts 2-4 inches of rain, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 10 inches per the National Weather Service.
As rescue efforts continue in Kerrville, questions are arising about how to assist those affected by the flood. Here is a guide on how you can help those in need, along with safety tips for dealing with flood warnings and what to do when you encounter flood waters.
The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund has been set up to help those impacted by the floods.
The fund was created by The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) charity, that will be directing money to “vetted organizations providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance,” according to its site.
Additionally, Southern Oaks Church is organizing a supply drive to support those impacted. Church officials urged locals to stay off the roads today but are encouraging people to start gathering items from home. Supplies can be dropped off at 122 Valley View in Kerrville.
They are looking for hygiene kits, baby and child essentials, clothing, food and nutrition, comfort and coping materials and more.
For those who live far away, the church has set up an online donation on its site. Select “River Flood Relief Fund” to donate to flood victims.
Austin’s Jester King Brewery is collecting items as well. Materials can be dropped off on Saturday or Sunday at their address: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd in Austin. Materials will be dropped off at Cross Kingdom Church.
Items most in need are bottled water, non-perishable food, new socks and underwear, kids clothing, diapers and baby wipes, flashlights and batteries, toiletries and cleaning supplies and pet food.
Treaty Oak Distillery in Dripping Springs is also taking donations. The address is 16604 Fitzhugh Rd in Dripping Springs. They are looking for cleaning and recovery supplies, food and water, emergency supplies, personal hygiene products, tools and more.
TEXSAR, an Austin-based nonprofit specializing in emergency response, has deployed swiftwater rescue teams, boats, drones and search dogs to aid in the search for the missing. The group is aiming to raise $100,000 to sustain its efforts. Donations can be made online.
The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center in Kerrville is collecting nonperishable food, diapers, and cleaning items like bleach, trash bags, brooms and shovels. Donations can be dropped off at its Social Services office, located at 855 Hays Street in Kerrville.
Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville has received many donations, and church officials said people can come by and grab things. The address is 3044 Junction Hwy in Kerrville.
Texans who sustained damage caused by the storms are encouraged to report it through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool.The tool helps emergency management officials understand the scope of the damage, which can influence emergency declarations and federal spending.
If you are impacted by a natural disaster, government services and community resources are available to help you with recovery.
Organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and local volunteer organizations can help you find food, shelter and supplies, as well as assist you with clean-up efforts. Texas Health and Human Services is responsible for coordinating efforts to help Texans in need immediately after a widespread emergency.
After a disaster, a state’s governor can issue a disaster declaration, asking the president to declare an emergency or major disaster, which then frees up federal funds to help those affected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides disaster assistance in these situations.
Before applying for assistance from FEMA, insured Texans should first file claims through their existing policies. People cannot receive disaster and insurance assistance for the same damages. Doing so would be considered insurance fraud, according to FEMA.
If you need to file an insurance claim because your home or property was damaged, call your insurance company to report the damages and be ready to answer questions about how you were impacted. Be sure to take photos and videos to submit to insurance or FEMA and document damages for your records.
If you need help quickly, you can ask your insurance company about an advanced payment. If you aren’t able to live in your home after the disaster because of extensive damage, most policies will cover some housing costs, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, so be sure to keep your receipts.
If you need help filing a claim, TDI has a helpline that operates Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Texans can call 800-252-3439 to find out contact information for their insurance company and ask any questions about claims.
The State Bar of Texas also offers a toll-free legal hotline to assist low-income Texans with issues like replacing lost documents, insurance questions, landlord-tenant problems, price-gouging or avoiding contractor scams following a natural disaster. Residents can call 800-504-7030, which is answered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Those who qualify for assistance are matched with Texas lawyers who can provide free, limited legal help, according to the state bar’s website.
To know when a weather emergency is expected or to stay updated during a disaster, sign up for emergency alerts from your city or county. Residents can look up their county emergency management office online to sign up for emergency emails and texts.
Texans who rely on electricity for medical reasons can apply for chronic conditions or critical care status, which provide extra notifications ahead of interruptions or suspensions of service. Applications have to be approved by a physician and submitted to the transmission and distribution utility that covers your address. The status doesn’t guarantee uninterrupted power, so if electricity is a necessity, make other arrangements ahead of a storm if possible.
Texans with disabilities or people who would require additional medical assistance during an emergency can also sign up for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, a free system run by the state that gives emergency responders additional information about the communities they are helping in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Major phone providers participate in the federal wireless emergency alert system, which enables federal, state and local authorities to broadcast alerts to mobile devices. Check the settings on your phone to ensure you have these alerts turned on. They are often labeled “Government Alerts” or “Emergency Alert Messages.”
If you need to find community resources during a disaster, dial 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 for information about resources including food, health, housing and more.
It is normal for people to experience shock in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. People like those with existing mental health conditions may see increased symptoms of stress. Others may focus on recovery and relief efforts but may feel symptoms of stress and trauma later on, according to experts.
Symptoms can include aches, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, losing motivation, getting frustrated more frequently and feeling overwhelmed, sad, numb, lonely and physically or mentally drained.
Most emotional responses and stress symptoms are temporary, but if they persist for two weeks or longer, it is recommended to seek help. Signs of greater emotional distress can include feeling hopeless, feeling guilty without being sure why, having difficulty readjusting to home and work life, excessive smoking, drinking or drug use or thinking of hurting yourself or someone else, according to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
SAMHSA runs the Disaster Distress Helpline, which provides support to people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. The helpline operates year-round, 24 hours a day and is free and confidential. You can call or text 800-985-5990 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor who can provide counseling, healthy coping tips and more information on signs of emotional distress. Crisis counselors can also provide local resources for additional support.
Trained crisis counselors are also available through the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
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