Indigent Health Care

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – Fort Bend County Officials and the Emergency Operations Center have been closely monitoring the water level in the Brazos River. The National Weather Service forecast indicates that the Brazos River will crest sometime Tuesday, August 29 in the late afternoon or early evening at an elevation of fifty nine feet at the Richmond gauge.

Judge Hebert said that “…a flood of this magnitude is an 800 year event and it exceeds the design specifications of our levees, and is potentially dangerous for a good portion of Fort Bend County. A fifty-nine foot river level threatens to overtop many of the levees in our area. As a result, I am ordering both voluntary and mandatory evacuations for many of the levee improvement districts along the Brazos River, based on all specific facts pertaining to each levee. ”

A voluntary evacuation means that you should consider leaving to head for a safer area. There is a chance that surrounding flood waters may hinder your ability to get in and out of your neighborhood. You may be stuck in your neighborhood for several days.

A mandatory evacuation means that there is risk to life and safety as well as property. There is also a risk to the lives of first responders who might be called on to rescue you when the expected danger materializes. During a mandatory evacuation emergency, personnel WILL NOT be able to respond to your calls for help. You will be on your own. You cannot rely on help from others.

A mandatory evacuation indicates the possibility of danger to your life. We urge you not to ignore it. If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone, do the smart thing: leave and be safe. Local law enforcement and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s office will patrol evacuated areas.

Pull up the interactive map to find out if your residence is in the evacuation area: https://fbcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d1a054f74789410bbe35bed305c81841

The following areas are under a MANDATORY evacuation order:

• First Colony LID #1
• Fort Bend County LID #20
• Fort Bend County LID #6
• Fort Bend County LID #7
• Fort Bend County MUD #115
• Fort Bend County MUD #46
• Fort Bend County MUD #49
• Municipal Utility District #121
• Palmer Plantation #1
• Palmer Plantation #2

The following areas are under a VOLUNTARY evacuation order:

• Fort Bend County LID #2
• Fort Bend County LID #10
• Fort Bend County LID #11
• Fort Bend County LID #14
• Fort Bend County LID #15
• Fort Bend County LID #17
• Fort Bend County LID #179
• First Colony LID #2
• Pecan Grove MUD
• Sienna Plantation

Judge Hebert reiterated that, “If you are in a Mandatory Evacuation zone, please leave. If you don’t, you may be in danger and we may not be able to help. If you are in a Voluntary Evacuation zone, take steps to protect yourself, your family and your property and be ready to lose service and mobility for an extended period of time if you choose to shelter in place. In any case, begin your preparation now. Take steps now to keep safe.”

If you are under a mandatory evacuation order, take the following steps:

• Determine a safe evacuation route
• Pack essential items including medicine, important documents, and first aid kits
• Take your pets (and pet food) with you
• Secure your home by locking all doors and windows
• Leave as soon as you are instructed to leave

Also be aware that mandatory evacuation orders are already in place for areas along the Brazos River that were impacted by the Memorial Day 2016 flood, and for low lying areas of the San Bernard River. There are also evacuations in place from the cities of Rosenberg, Richmond, and Simonton and a voluntary evacuation for areas around the Barker Reservoir.

If you are in a voluntary evacuation area, be sure you are comfortable staying put for several days and that you have enough food, water and other supplies to last at least a week.

There are shelters in the area. Contact the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management at 281-342-6185 to find a shelter. Red Cross shelter information can be found online: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter  

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Public Information Officer
Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Center
281-342-6185

Comunicado de Prensa – Orden de Evacuación

Augusto 28, 2017

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – Los Funcionarios del Condado de Fort Bend y el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia han estado monitoreando de cerca el nivel del agua en el Río Brazos. El pronóstico del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional indica que el Río Brazos crecerá algún día el martes 29 de agosto en la tarde o temprano en la noche a una elevación de cincuenta y nueve pies en el indicador de Richmond.

El juez Hebert dijo que “… una inundación de esta magnitud es un evento de 800 años y excede las especificaciones de diseño de nuestros diques, y es potencialmente peligroso para una buena porción del condado de Fort Bend. Un nivel de río de cincuenta y nueve pies amenaza con sobrepasar muchos de los diques en nuestra área. Como resultado, estoy ordenando evacuaciones voluntarias y obligatorias para muchos de los distritos de mejoramiento de diques a lo largo del río Brazos, basados ??en todos los hechos específicos relacionados con cada dique. ”

Una evacuación voluntaria significa que usted debe considerar salir para un área más segura. Existe la posibilidad de que las aguas circundantes de las inundaciones puedan obstaculizar su capacidad de entrar y salir de su vecindario. Usted puede estar atrapado en su vecindario por varios días.

Una evacuación obligatoria significa que hay riesgo para la vida y la seguridad, así como la propiedad. También hay un riesgo para las vidas de los primeros respondedores que podrían ser llamados a rescatarlo cuando se materialice el peligro esperado. Durante una emergencia de evacuación obligatoria, el personal NO podrá responder a sus llamadas de ayuda. Usted estará en su propio. No puedes confiar en la ayuda de otros.

Una evacuación obligatoria indica la posibilidad de peligro para su vida. Le instamos a no ignorarlo. Si usted está en una zona de evacuación obligatoria, haga lo más inteligente: salga y esté a salvo. La policía local y la oficina del sheriff del condado de Fort Bend patrullarán las áreas evacuadas.

Levante el mapa interactivo para averiguar si su residencia está en el área de evacuación: https://fbcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d1a054f74789410bbe35bed305c81841 

Las siguientes áreas están bajo una orden de evacuación OBLIGATORIA:

• Primera Colonia LID # 1
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 20
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 6
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 7
• Fort Bend County MUD # 115
• Fort Bend County MUD # 46
• Fort Bend County MUD # 49
• Distrito Municipal de Servicios Públicos # 121
• Palmer Plantation # 1
• Palmer Plantation # 2

Las siguientes áreas están bajo una orden de evacuación VOLUNTARIA:

• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 2
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 10
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 11
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 14
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 15
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 17
• Condado de Fort Bend LID # 179
• Primera Colonia LID # 2
• Pecan Grove MUD
• Sienna Plantation

El juez Hebert reiteró que: “Si usted está en una zona de Evacuación Obligatoria, por favor, vaya. Si no lo hace, puede estar en peligro y es posible que no podamos ayudar. Si usted está en una zona de Evacuación Voluntaria, tome medidas para protegerse a sí mismo, a su familia ya su propiedad y estar listo para perder el servicio y la movilidad por un período prolongado de tiempo si decide refugiarse en su lugar. En cualquier caso, comience su preparación ahora. Tome medidas ahora para mantenerse a salvo.

Si está bajo una orden de evacuación obligatoria, tome las siguientes medidas:

• Determinar una ruta de evacuación segura
• Empaque los artículos esenciales incluyendo la medicina, los documentos importantes, y los botiquines de primeros auxilios
• Lleve consigo a sus mascotas (y comida para mascotas)
• Asegure su casa cerrando todas las puertas y ventanas
• Salga tan pronto como se le indique que se vaya

También tenga en cuenta que las órdenes de evacuación obligatorias ya están en vigor para las áreas a lo largo del río Brazos que fueron impactadas por la inundación del Día del Memorial Day 2016 y para las áreas bajas del río San Bernard. También hay evacuaciones en el lugar de las ciudades de Rosenberg, Richmond y Simonton y una evacuación voluntaria para las áreas alrededor del embalse de Barker.

Si se encuentra en un área de evacuación voluntaria, asegúrese de que se sienta cómodo durante varios días y que tenga suficientes alimentos, agua y otros suministros para durar al menos una semana.

Hay refugios en la zona. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Administración de Emergencias del Condado de Fort Bend al 281-342-6185 para encontrar un refugio. La información sobre el refugio de la Cruz Roja puede encontrarse en línea: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter 

PARA MAS INFORMACION CONTACTE:

Oficial de Información Pública

Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia del Condado de Fort Bend 281-342-6185

Measles activity has spiked in our neighboring counties. As of today, no confirmed cases of measles have been reported to the health department, Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. Individuals should protect themselves through vaccination.  Vaccination is best way to provide protection against measles and other diseases.

“Measles is an easily preventable disease. Individuals can protect themselves and their family against the disease by getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Mary desVignes-Kendrick, Director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. “Measles is a highly contagious disease, and it can spread quickly in communities where people are not vaccinated. Protect yourself, your family, and the community by vaccinating against diseases.”

Measles can be serious, especially for young children and anyone who is not protected against measles. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It starts with a fever, and then it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death.

You can protect your child against measles with a combination vaccine that provides protection against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The MMR vaccine is proven to be very safe and effective. CDC recommends that children get two doses:

• the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and
• the second dose before entering school at 4 through 6 years of age.

Your child’s doctor may offer the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). MMRV vaccine is licensed for children 12 months through 12 years of age. It may be used in place of MMR vaccine if a child needs to have varicella vaccine in addition to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. Your child’s doctor can help you decide which vaccine to use.

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services will continue to monitor the nation, state, and region-wide spike of measles.

For more information on measles, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or speak to your primary health care provider.

It is important for Fort Bend County residents using a private water well to safeguard the quality of water for their families.  Because water quality can be affected by many variables, the first step is to test the water.   All property owners should test their water wells annually. 

More frequent testing should be considered if:

• There is a change in the taste, odor, or appearance of the well water, or inundation by floodwater
• The well has a history of bacterial contamination
• The septic system has recently malfunctioned
• An infant is living in the home
• Family members or house guests have recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness, or have lowered immune systems

Water contamination:  Water wells in flooded areas should always be considered contaminated. If a private well is flooded or has been subjected to possible contamination, use only bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking (including washing food you eat raw), and bathing until you can disinfect your well and have a sample tested. Do not use the water from the well until the following things have occurred:

• You have disinfected the well and your plumbing
• You have sampled your water and received a lab report confirming that the disinfected water contained no harmful organisms

Approved water sample bottles, instructions and related forms are available in the Environmental Health Department office, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Suite A-800.  Do not collect the sample in an unapproved container; do not use jars or other containers from home or other sources.

Submit samples on Wednesdays ONLY between 8 and 12am.  A cost of $16.50 per sample is required at the time of submission (check or money order only payable to City of Houston). Cash is not accepted. 

Note:  This test will not detect chemicals or other substances such as lead or nitrites.  If you are concerned about possible chemicals or other contaminates in your water, you should contact a private water quality or treatment service company.

For more information on water wells, owners and consumers are recommended to visit the National Ground Water Association at www.wellowner.org or City of Houston web page www.houstontx.gov/health/Lab/water.html

Fort Bend County Animal Services will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony July 18 at 4 p.m. for its new Intake Facility at 1210 Blume Road in Rosenberg.

The facility, now ready for medical staff and pets, features an intake room where new pets are screened for a microchip, receive initial vaccinations, and get a medical check-up. It also has two rooms dedicated to cats, one for quarantine of cats involved in bite investigations and the other for sick cats that require isolation. The new facility will also add 24 dog kennels and 12 quarantine kennels. Additionally, the Intake Facility has a new surgical suite for spay/neuter surgeries, medical office, conference/training room, and an office area for Animal Control Officers when they return from the field so they can enter animal information into the shelter’s software.

“We are really excited to add this new facility to the shelter. Our pets deserve the best initial medical evaluation we can give them, and now with our new veterinary and surgical suite for spay/neuter, we will be able to go above and beyond our current capability,” said Rene Vasquez, Animal Services Director.

Other areas in the new facility include a bathing room, whelping room for expectant moms and puppies, a large food storage room, and a laundry and storage room for the medical staff.

In the future, Animal Services will add three new play yards near the facility. The play yards will be funded through an ASPCA grant to ensure the Dogs Playing for Life program continues, giving shelter dogs the opportunity to play and socialize every day.

###

Fort Bend County Social Services will host its first annual National Nonprofit Day event, Fort Bend Serves, on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at participating nonprofits.

Local nonprofits across the county will collaborate on this day to showcase the importance of their organization and work in the Fort Bend community. Fort Bend County is home to numerous nonprofit organizations serving a rapidly growing community with changing demographics, social, and economic needs. Interested individuals, groups and families will have an opportunity to tour the facility/facilities of their choice.

After the tour, we are asking everyone to act on his or her passion and sign-up to volunteer, make a donation or become an agency advocate.

“Sherita J. Herring, a renowned speaker, best-selling author and business strategist, founded National Nonprofit Day to educate, enlighten and empower others to make a difference, while acknowledging those that are in the trenches, impacting lives every day – the Change-Makers of the World!” (The National Day Calendar)

For participating nonprofits and more information, visit Social Services’ website or contact Stasha Scruggs at 281-344-6116.

###

American Pets Alive! recognizes Fort Bend County Animal Services for a major step in saving the lives of animals in 2019. In its 2019 statement, American Pets Alive!, a nonprofit pet rescue organization, said the 10 selected shelters have embraced changes in a variety of ways and are becoming lifesaving leaders in their communities. “I have had the great pleasure of working with Rene Vasquez and the whole team at Fort Bend County Animal Services. This team is a hardworking, dedicated team working hard to save as many animals as they can while also providing a good quality of life for the animals there. In 2018 they created TNR/SNR and amazingly so many cats were saved that previously would not have been. Rene encourages thinking outside of the box and I enjoy working with this team!” said Faith Wright, Shelter Management Advisor from American Pets Alive!

Fort Bend County was nominated for its successful Trap Neuter Return (TNR) and Shelter Neuter Return (SNR) programs, which have allowed Fort Bend County to save 1,703 cats. “This acknowledgment validates to a great extent that what we are doing in animal services is on target. Fort Bend County continues to move forward and adopt best practices, ensuring we will remain one of the top animal shelter programs in the nation,” said Dr. Mary desVignes-Kendrick, Director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.

Background

In 2018, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved changes to the Animal Control Ordinance, recognizing the practice of trapping, neutering/spaying, vaccinating and returning un-owned community cats. Following the change, Fort Bend County Animal Services launched a Community Cat TNR/SNR Pilot Program that proved to be successful.

County Holiday | Offices Closed

All Fort Bend County offices are closed. Holiday schedule.
(Law enforcement and emergency services agencies remain on duty)