Newsroom

Central Texas Fire Updates Sept. 7th

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Folks are working quickly to get those affected by the fires access to services as quickly as possible, including increased locations as well as reassigning staff and volunteers to locations with the highest demand.  You can also receive up-to-date information from the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management on their Facebook page.

The driver's license office in Bastrop (305 Eskew Street (512) 581-7152) reopened today.  They are processing ID and driver's license renewals, however they are not providing driving exams due to air quality.

Copies of vehicle titles can be requested through the tax assessor collector's office (804 Pecan Street, Bastrop TX 78602 limited hours 512-581-7161; 704 Bull Run Rd. Ste 100, Elgin, TX 78602, 512-581-7146; Smithville and Cedar Creek locations remain closed).  DMV is prepared to issue copies of vehicle titles quickly and to send backup assistance to the Bastrop office as needed.

HHSC eligibility staff are on site (Smithville Indoor Recreation Center 106 Gazley Street 512-237-3282; Bastrop Middle School 709 Old Austin Hwy 512-321-3911) from 8am until needs are met each day through Friday, unless the permanent field locations reopen.  Additionally, one mobile unit became operational around 2pm today (Bastrop High School 1602 Hill Street). 

Residents can apply for new or replacement benefits from Medicaid, TANF (temporary cash assistance) or SNAP (food benefits).  Applications are being expedited and processed at the Austin Eberhart HHS office. 

Austin Bar Association volunteer attorneys are advising Bastrop residents that they will be charged for their utilities, such as cable and water, unless they cancel the service.  It is also important that homeowners file claims with their insurance companies.  Insurance companies will not initiate the contact.

Lawyers are available at two locations today and will be available at six locations beginning tomorrow (Thursday).  They are on call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday, and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday.

The two locations where lawyers are available today are:

Ascension Roman Catholic Church 802 Pine St (Water St. & Pine St.), Bastrop, TX
Bastrop Christian Outreach 1096 Hwy 71, Bastrop, TX

Beginning tomorrow, they will also be available at four additional locations:

Celebration Christian Church 107 Longhorn St, Bastrop, TX
First Assembly of God 609 Pecan St, Bastrop, TX
Premerica Baptist Church 308 Paul C Bell, Bastrop, TX

Sears Hometown Store 735 Old Austin Hwy., Ste. B, Bastrop, TX

In addition, there are two hotlines available: 

State Bar of Texas 1-800-504-7030 and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid 1-866-757-1570