In the aftermath of severe storms and tornadoes that ravaged Southeast Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has initiated a response to assess the damage and potentially secure federal aid. In a directive to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Abbott engaged the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments alongside state and local officials in the affected regions. According to the Governor's Office, the federal teams' arrival is slated for this week.
Asserting the state's proactive stance, Governor Abbott said, "Today, I requested the U.S. Small Business Administration join state and local officials to begin preliminary damage assessments so we can ensure Texans have the support they need," as stated by the Governor's Office. The Governor's message underscores the state's commitment to its citizens' welfare in the storm's wake. Also highlighted in his announcement was the iSTAT survey by TDEM, an instrument through which Texans can report storm-inflicted damage to their homes or businesses at damage.tdem.texas.gov, aiding in pinpointing areas in need of assistance.
Both the state and local resources have been on alert, with Abbott having activated emergency response resources before the storm. Additionally, the Texas State Emergency Operations Center was elevated in its readiness state to offer support in weather-related response operations. These preemptive actions aimed to ensure a swift reaction to the weather crisis and lay the groundwork for recovery efforts post-disaster.
