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Annual Meeting 25

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Evacuations: 24 Hours Earlier Than Before

A critical new strategy for Galveston residents: mandatory evacuation orders will now be issued a full 60 hours before projected landfall—36 hours longer than prior protocol—due to construction and traffic constraints on I‑45.

Local expert Byron Frankland urged people to plan and “leave early,” as even a 24-hour delay can block safe exits and hinder emergency response.

Underinsured: A Silent Risk for Businesses

Insurance professionals sounded the alarm: most businesses have not updated coverage to reflect inflation, tariff-driven price increases, or high-value assets like electronic equipment and company vehicles. Parametric insurance—triggering payouts based on storm metrics, not just damage—is emerging as a smart supplement.

Leading question raised: “When was the last time you spoke with your agent?” The workshop stressed the urgency of insurance reviews and upgrades for businesses of all sizes.

SBA Disaster Loans: Underappreciated Aid for All

Dylan McNally from SBA outlined surprisingly favorable terms:

Loans up to $500,000 for homeowners and $100,000 for renters
Fixed interest as low as 3–4%, 30-year terms, with no payments or interest for the first 12 months
No penalty for early repayment
No collateral required for loans under $50,000 (under presidential declarations)

These flexible loans—often overlooked compared to FEMA aid—include optional funding for mitigation to reduce future risk.

Utility & City Infrastructure Resilience

Tyler Falks from CenterPoint shared updates on robust grid improvements: vegetation trimming, pole fortifications, automated switches, and flood-elevated substations to withstand future storms.

Meanwhile, City of Galveston continues coordinated planning: evacuation zone mapping, re-entry protocols, and proactive community education.

Preparation: The Five Essentials

Speakers united on a clear message for individuals and businesses:

Talk to your insurance agent—review and adjust coverage today
Document everything—videos, receipts, inventories year-round
Plan to evacuate early—60-hour notices are now official
Explore mitigation tools—like AquaFence, ClimaGuard, IBHS Fortified programs
Know your aid options—SBA resources might outmatch FEMA in flexibility

Member Blender: Building Resilient Connections

The workshop wrapped up with an evening Member Blender at UTMB’s Incubator, where participants networked over pressing issues: underinsurance, storm preparedness, evacuation logistics, and recovery tools. The shared takeaway was clear: in one of the nation’s most disaster-prone regions, ahead-of-time planning and collective resilience are essential.

Final Word

With forecasts pointing to an active—and potentially fierce—hurricane season, Galveston’s businesses and families must act now. GEDP is dedicated to keeping the community informed, connected, and ready to respond.

Join the GEDP for ongoing resources, expert guidance, and local support.

CONTACTS

Dylan J. McNally

Recovery Supervisor (Regions 6-10)

Recovery Coordinator (Region 6 - AR, LA, NM, OK, TX)
Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience

U.S. Small Business Administration

Cell: (571) 369-8895

dylan.mcnally@sba.gov