Governor Greg Abbott announced the addition of Calhoun, Delta, Jones, and Lamar counties to the state’s disaster declaration for areas impacted by severe storms and flooding that began on April 26. More counties may be added as damage assessments continue.
"As communities across the state continue to recover from recent severe weather, I have added four counties to the state's disaster declaration to ensure impacted Texans have access to the resources they need to rebuild," said Governor Abbott. "I thank our federal and local partners for working with us to provide necessary assistance to communities across Texas and the hundreds of emergency response personnel who continue to work around-the-clock to help their fellow Texans."
Impacted residents can report damage through the iSTAT damage survey and apply for FEMA assistance at disasterassistance.gov. The governor emphasized that Texas will deploy all necessary resources and support.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved part of Governor Abbott’s request for Individual Assistance programs in Eastland, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller counties.
Following a review of additional damage assessments exceeding federal criteria for disaster assistance, Texas Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd has requested six more counties—Austin, Ellis, Kaufman, Navarro, Newton, and Tyler—be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance programs. This funding covers expenses such as temporary housing and emergency home repairs.
The governor's request for Individual Assistance remains under review for eight Texas counties. Further additions may occur as new damage assessments are completed. Local officials will continue supporting Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams in affected areas.
At Governor Abbott’s direction and through TDEM coordination efforts continue with over 1,000 state responders from more than two dozen agencies deployed across impacted communities. These personnel include emergency management responders among others. Additionally coordinated efforts with utility providers aim at restoring power swiftly.
More than 600 state resource assets are deployed across affected areas with over 260 responding agencies engaged at both local and state levels. The State of Texas continues providing commodities including ice bags bottled water ready-to-eat meals tarps among others.
Texans experiencing property damage are encouraged to report it using TDEM’s online iSTAT tool which helps connect them with available resources while also aiding officials in determining eligibility for federal assistance.
Governor Abbott remains committed to providing all available resources including:
- Readying state emergency response resources on April 25 ahead of wildfire and severe weather threats.
- Issuing a disaster declaration on April 30 for storm-affected counties.
- Increasing readiness level of State Emergency Operations Center.
- Holding a briefing on May 6 with local/state officials.
- Requesting Presidential Disaster Declaration on May 15.
- Securing partial approval of Presidential Disaster Declaration on May 17.
- Requesting additional county inclusions on May 19.
