Gov. Greg Abbott has requested a presidential disaster declaration from President Joe Biden for several southeast Texas counties affected by tornadoes and severe storms in January 2023. 

The Texas governor has declared a disaster in these counties and updated it to include additional affected areas, according to a press release. The request for a presidential disaster declaration would make residents of the counties eligible for federal resources such as individual assistance, disaster unemployment assistance and the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program.

Abbott is passionate about helping local communities recover from economic loss. Therefore, he made an address to Biden.

"To better help our fellow Texans and local communities recover and move forward from the widespread damage of last month's severe weather and tornadoes, I am requesting a presidential disaster declaration," Abbott said. 

In addition, he also asked for access to the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program to help cover the physical and economic loss.

Furthermore, the data analysis from damage reports from Texans is what pushed the declaration into gear.

Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to provide support to local jurisdictions and assess damage in coordination with local officials. If the request is granted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resources would also become available statewide.

"The magnitude of damage caused by these storms in Southeast Texas requires robust, comprehensive action by all levels of government to help Texans recover,"  Abbott said.