Presidential Disaster Declaration Granted For Texas Counties

AUSTIN – President Obama Friday evening granted a request for funds that will aid Texas counties, including hard-hit Van Zandt County, as they continue to recover and rebuild. On Friday afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott had requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the counties due to damage sustained from the severe weather, tornadoes and flooding.

“I thank the President and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their prompt response to Texas’ urgent need for a federal disaster declaration,” said Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “We have seen so many lives lost, homes damaged or destroyed, and communities threatened by this devastating storm system. Texas is grateful for the swift response by FEMA and I look forward to working with my FEMA partners to ensure critical assistance is delivered to Texans in need.”

Governor Abbott requested Individual Assistance for Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties. Individual Assistance provides affected residents and businesses access to Disaster Housing, Disaster Grants, Low-Interest Disaster Loans, and other disaster aid programs including crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and Veteran’s benefits.

Governor Abbott requested Public Assistance for Cooke, Gaines, Grimes, Harris, Hays, Navarro and Van Zandt counties. Public Assistance is aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs of rebuilding a community’s damaged infrastructure, which may include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools. Generally, public assistance programs pay for 75 percent of the approved project costs. Additional counties may be added to the Governor’s request once they meet the threshold required by the federal government to request federal disaster aid.

Earlier Friday, Abbott declared a state of disaster in 24 additional counties, including more in East Texas, bringing the total number of counties under Texas’ state disaster declaration to 70. The counties added to the declaration are Angelina, Burleson, Cherokee, Edwards, Ellis, Fayette, Gillespie, Kaufman, Lamar, Liberty, Leon, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Real, Refugio, Rusk, Sabine, Travis, Tyler, Uvalde, Victoria, Waller and Wharton. Additional counties may be added as the situation develops.

“The large number of Texas counties currently experiencing a state of disaster is an indication of how severe this ongoing weather situation is, and I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to heed local officials’ warnings,” said Governor Abbott. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those affected, and I strongly urge all Texans to take all precautions to protect themselves and their families and neighbors.”

Texans are encouraged to follow these safety tips during this weather event:

– When severe storms threaten, the safest place to be is indoors.
– Avoid areas already flooded and avoid any fast-flowing water.
– Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains or other areas; never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and observe road barricades placed for your protection.
– Remember that dangerous waters can seem deceptively calm, and if you encounter flooding, move to higher ground.

– Monitor weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather in your area.
– Keep in mind that flood dangers are even harder to recognize at night. Be mindful that rising and moving water can also threaten people on foot and individuals near recreational waterways impacted by significant rainfall.
– Monitor weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather in your area.
– Stay informed and heed warnings by local officials.

See http://dps.texas.gov/dem/ThreatAwareness/weather_aware_severe.htm for additional safety tips related to tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flooding. The American Red Cross has established the fwebsite https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php for individuals in impacted areas.

The following resources are involved in the state’s continued response to this weather event:

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Assisting with reconnaissance, search and rescue efforts, and providing personnel and resources as needed.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD): Conducting search and rescue missions during flash flooding/water incidents in affected areas.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): DSHS have mobilized resources, equipment and personnel to provide medical assistance as needed.

Texas Military Forces (TMF): TMF has deployed aircraft and high-profile vehicles, and continues providing assistance with search and rescue missions as needed.

Texas Task Force 1 (TTF1): Air and boat rescue squads have been deployed for search and rescue missions as needed.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Continues to monitor dams and river levels in the affected areas.

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): Crews have deployed resources to address flooding conditions and debris cleanup impacting roadways.

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC): Personnel continue to work with utility companies to resolve power/utility issues.

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): Assisting communities to apply for funds administered by TDA that will help with storm cleanup and rebuilding.

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD): Organizations continue to provide shelter and other mass care needs as requested.

Additional partners and resources include Texas A&M Forest Service; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Civil Air Patrol; Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Texas General Land Office; Texas Health and Human Services Commission; Texas Department of Insurance; Railroad Commission of Texas; Texas Education Agency; Department of Aging and Disability Services; Department of Family and Protective Services; Texas Workforce Commission; Texas Animal Health Commission; Texas 2-1-1; and Texas Department of Information Resources.