Following severe storms in Northeast Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to collaborate with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to assess the damage in the affected areas. The goal is to determine whether these communities can quickly qualify for essential federal aid to support their rebuilding efforts. "Communities in North Texas continue to recover from severe weather that hit over the weekend," Governor Abbott stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation, according to the press release. The joint preliminary damage assessments are a procedural step that could pave the way for low-interest loans designed to assist homeowners and business proprietors in the recovery process.
As Texas officials and the SBA begin their assessments, the governor has also urged locals to report any damage using the TDEM's Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). In a statement obtained by the Governor's office, "This data is vital to help officials identify impacted areas and connect Texans with resources." Once it is safe, Texans are encouraged to provide details about their situations via the online portal at damage.tdem.texas.gov, as officials assess the self-reported disaster damage information.
Recognizing the potential severity of the upcoming storms, Governor Abbott proactively activated state emergency resources last week. This preparation included deploying Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capabilities, reflecting the state's commitment to ensuring safety and a swift response during natural disasters.
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