help is on the way

Expert tips on how Texans can file insurance and FEMA claims after winter storm

Far too many Texans are experiencing this view.

As Dallas-Fort Worth enjoys warmer temperatures and a respite from the bitter winter storm, the cold reality of home damage claims has set in. Indeed, the Insurance Council of Texas reports that the 2021 winter storm will be the largest claim event in Lone Star State history.

“Just about every Texan was affected by this,” Camille Garcia of the Insurance Council of Texas says. “It ranges from residential to commercial, from fender benders to complete home loss.” The council is still calculating this unprecedented number, but Texans should expect it to be staggering.

So what to do? Garcia lists some important steps during the claim process:

Document all damages with photos and video and make a list of those damages. This will enable customers to have a more productive conversation with their insurance adjuster.
Important note: Keep broken pipes, as insurance companies may need to see the type of pipe for their records.
Customers should request information on their specific policy, coverages, coverage limits, and deductible.
Document all conversations with insurance adjusters, contractors, and others who are key to your recovery. This enables better follow-up and sets timeline expectations.

Garcia also notes that with the sheer scope of the damage and work involved — added to the pandemic problems — more of the claims process may go virtual.

“To keep folks safe, insurance carriers have increased their technology platforms to handle claims adjusting and customer communications more efficiently,” Garcia says. “While some claims, due to customer preference and/or the magnitude of the loss may need in-person adjusting, virtual claims handling will help to expedite the process.”

FEMA steps in
Thankfully for Texas, federal help is on the way, thanks to President Joe Biden’s disaster declaration on February 19. FEMA has announced grants, low-cost loans, and other forms of assistance to help Texans get back on their feet — including temporary housing.

To get started, FEMA staffers note that Texas residents require only basic information, according to its official disaster assistance site. This includes:

Insurance determination letter (FEMA will not provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.)
Proof of occupancy or ownership
Proof of ID

The federal agency also dispels certain circulating rumors on its site, including food vouchers (not true) and coverage of insurance deductibles (not happening, says FEMA). FEMA notes that inspectors will contact applicants to schedule an appointment; it may take up to 30 days for an inspector to contact them to schedule an inspection. The agency is currently covering 77 Texas counties in its declaration. The 77 Texas counties included in the declaration are:

Angelina
Aransas
Bastrop
Bee
Bell
Bexar
Blanco
Brazoria
Brazos
Brown
Burleson
Caldwell
Calhoun
Cameron
Chambers
Collin
Comal
Comanche
Cooke
Coryell
Dallas
Denton
DeWitt
Ellis
Falls
Fort Bend
Galveston
Gillespie
Grimes
Guadalupe
Hardin
Harris
Hays
Henderson
Hidalgo
Hood
Jasper
Jefferson
Johnson
Kaufman
Kendall
Lavaca
Liberty
Madison
Matagorda
Maverick
McLennan
Montague
Montgomery
Nacogdoches
Nueces
Orange
Palo Pinto
Panola
Parker
Polk
Rockwall
Sabine
San Jacinto
San Patricio
Scurry
Shelby
Smith
Stephens
Tarrant
Travis
Tyler
Upshur
Van Zandt
Victoria
Walker
Waller
Wharton
Wichita
Williamson
Wilson
Wise

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let loose dallas

Dallas earns a slot on new list of America's most fun cities

Photo by Mark Patterson on Unsplash

Dallas is a fun place to be, the study says.

Dallas' fun entertainment and nightlife scenes have helped the city improve in WalletHub's just-released ranking of the most fun American cities in 2025. Dallas now stands tall as the 26th most fun U.S. city this year.

WalletHub's "Most Fun Cities in America (2025)" study compared 182 U.S. cities across 65 metrics — spanning from the number of sports venues, music venues, and shopping centers per capita to the average cost for a restaurant meal — to determine how "fun" each city is. The metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

Las Vegas, Nevada continued its multi-year streak as the No. 1 most fun American city.

Across the three key dimensions, Dallas scored the highest for its nightlife and parties rank (No. 23), but its entertainment and recreation ranks (No. 35) and costs (No. 99) still have room for improvement. But overall, Dallas' level of "fun" is far higher than most U.S. cities.

Dallas' current "fun" status is five places higher than its 2024 rank as the No. 31 most fun American city.

Elsewhere in North Texas, Fort Worth ranked as the 60th most fun American city, while Arlington (No. 71) and Plano (No. 78) lagged farther behind.

Texas' most fun cities
Houston overtook Austin as the 6th most fun city in America and the No. 1 most fun Texas city for 2025. Austin, which ranked No. 6 last year, dropped two spots and now ranks No. 8 on the list.

Three more Texas cities that appeared in the top 100 include: San Antonio (No. 23), El Paso (No. 62), and Corpus Christi (No. 94).

"The decision of where to live could save or cost you a lot of money and fun, so it’s fair to wonder what makes a fun city," the report's author wrote. "In a city with enough variety, you won’t have to compromise with your friends, family, or even yourself about the next fun activity to do alone or together."

Surprisingly, both Chicago and New York City dropped out of the top 10 most fun American cities. Chicago now ranks as No. 11, and New York City ranks 14th on the list.

WalletHub's top 10 most fun U.S. cities in 2025 are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Houston, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Austin, Texas
No. 9 – Portland, Oregon
No. 10 – Cincinnati, Ohio

rankings wallethub dallas