GALVESTON -- On the outside of Santosh Joy’s Galveston home, the piled up debris only tells part of the story. What happened inside is what sent him over the edge.

“The waterline is right here if you take a look,” he said. “Tears came out, you know. I work hard for this.”

As much as three feet of water flooded his three-bedroom house. The waters ruined practically everything.

“I hope the government or insurance people will help us rebuild this,” said Joy.

Some help could be coming in the form of property tax relief.

The state tax code allows local taxing entities to request that the county appraisal district reappraise property based on its condition after a disaster.

That means Galveston County property owners might get a giant tax cut. While the tax bills for this year have already been prepared and will shortly be mailed out, Galveston County Tax Assessor Cheryl Johnson said the reappraisals could give taxpayers as much as a 40 percent break.

The key though is that the taxing entities such as school boards, cities, county and special utility districts must each vote for the reappraisal. Only those that do will be able to offer the tax break for property owners.

Those taxing entities will also be responsible for the cost of the reappraisal.

The tax breaks are not just for those in Galveston County. The tax reappraisals are available in any community that was declared a disaster area by the governor.

“It would be a huge help, we have no income right now,” said Stephen Rennick, who owns the Mosquito Café in Galveston. His business and home were hit hard by Hurricane Ike.

Right now, the Rennicks could use a break.

“We need all the help we can get. Where do you start when you have nothing,” said Patricia Rennick.