AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced over the weekend that President Joe Biden partially approved the state’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas counties impacted by the effects of icy conditions and winter weather from Winter Storm Mara earlier this year.
“I thank President Biden for his administration’s assistance as Texas continues to help communities impacted by Winter Storm Mara earlier this year,” said Governor Abbott. “This partial approval of my Major Disaster Declaration request submitted to the President in February is a critical first step to helping Texans recover from this severe weather event. Texas will continue to work with our federal partners to support recovery from damage that occurred as a result of this storm.”
Out of the 23 counties in the Governor’s request to President Biden in February, the White House approved access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance program for the following 13 counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Delta, Denton, Falls, Hays, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Milam, Red River, Robertson, Shelby, Smith, Travis, and Williamson.
This presidential approval grants eligibility for jurisdictions in the approved counties to FEMA’s PA program, which includes supplemental grant funding to eligible public and non-profit entities for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, equipment and contents, public utilities, parks, recreational, and other facilities. This approval also authorizes additional FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program resources to be made available statewide.
Additionally, the Governor has directed TDEM to work with local, state, and federal partners to ensure all other Texas counties that meet their federally-set PA thresholds are added to this federal declaration.
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