Following a series of severe weather incidents, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that FEMA has included 11 additional counties in its federal disaster declaration. According to the official release, the inclusion of these new counties aims to quickly provide critical support to areas ravaged by storms and flooding from April 26 through June 5. Local entities in these counties are now set to be eligible for Public Assistance to aid in rebuilding and recovery efforts.
"The approval of 11 additional counties for the Federal Disaster Declaration will provide critical aid to communities who have been impacted by the severe weather earlier this year," Abbott stated. The governor’s office has worked closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA to ensure Texas communities have the necessary resources to rapidly respond to, and begin recovering from the calamitous effects of the storms.
The counties now approved for Public Assistance include Blanco, Cass, Cherokee, Dallas, Gonzales, Hopkins, McCulloch, Morris, Rains, Sabine, and Titus. Eligible expenses covered by FEMA's program may range from debris removal to substantial repairs of public utilities and other essential facilities. In total, there are 69 counties positioned to apply for support under this expanded declaration.
FEMA has also approved its Individual Assistance program for 40 counties, wherein Texans affected by the disasters can apply for support online or by phone for a variety of losses, including property damage and other disaster-related expenses. "Together, we will ensure Texans are able to move forward from recent severe weather and floods," Abbott emphasized, highlighting the governor's persistent efforts in securing resources and coordinating disaster response.
Texas has seen Governor Abbott proactively handle the crisis from the outset. He readied state emergency response resources, issued and frequently amended disaster declarations, and increased the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center. These actions have been crucial steps in managing the impact of severe weather events across Texas.
