ROUND ROCK, Texas — The tornado that tore through Round Rock, Texas, on Monday, March 21, caused more than an estimated $32 million in damage to 680 residential structures, according to the City of Round Rock's preliminary assessments.
Meanwhile, Williamson County initially estimated that around 1,449 structures were damaged across the county and said Friday that approximately 430 structures were affected in the county's unincorporated areas and cities outside the Round Rock city limits. This number is continuously updated.
The Round Rock assessments were provided by City officials and members of the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT). The City said BOAT sent trained and certified personnel to perform damage assessment to homes in neighborhoods impacted by the tornado. Each structure assessed received a tag that advised the owners and first responders of the level of safety and the damage sustained.
The City said these post-disaster building damage assessments are informational only and are intended to minimize the potential for bodily injury by advising of any potential hazards.
Officials placed green, yellow or red placards on damaged structures to inform residents about the condition of their homes. Green placards indicated that no apparent structural hazard was identified; yellow placards indicate that the building's safety is questionable or hazardous conditions may exist and warrant restrictions on occupancy; and red placards indicate buildings unsafe for occupancy due to an extreme hazard or safety violation.
A red placard does not mean the property has been condemned or will require demolition, according to the City.
The City said of the 68 residential structures that were reported damaged, 13 were "destroyed" and 93 sustained "major damages." The following neighborhoods were impacted: Concord at Brushy Creek, Forest Bluff, Forest Grove, Greenlawn Place, Kensington, South Creek, Turtle Creek, Windy Park and Windy Terrace.
PHOTOS: Central Texas tornado damage
Officials continue to assess the damage. Williamson County residents who have experienced damage to their homes are encouraged to report it here and select "March Severe Weather."
The City of Round Rock has implemented an expedited permitting approval process for residents affected by the tornado. Permits will be issued no later than two business days after the City has received a completed submittal. Round Rock's Building Permits Office is also extending its office hours through 7 p.m. for the next two weeks.
To assist families in need, Williamson County's Office of Emergency Management partnered with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) and American Red Cross to open a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for three days this week. Approximately 110 families were assisted through the MARC with things such as food, clothing, debris removal and more.
The MARC is now closed, but residents can still receive assistance by calling ADRN’s Disaster Survivor Hotline at 512-806-0800 or American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767, option 4.
Additionally, the Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to help home and business owners recover from declared disasters. Learn more.
In an area declared a disaster area by the governor, qualified property that is at least 15% damaged by a disaster can receive a temporary exemption of a portion of the appraised value of the property. Learn more.
Finally, anyone in need of crisis counseling may call the Bluebonnet Trails Community Services crisis hotline at 1-800-841-1255.
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