TEXAS — President Donald Trump has approved Texas’ major disaster declaration, allowing the state to receive federal disaster assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the approval Saturday, just one day after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the declaration.
“The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe,” a news release from FEMA said.
The federal aid will be available for the 28 counties hit hardest by the heavy rains and flooding over the past week, including Uvalde, Kerr and Kendall counties. Abbott said on Friday that more counties could be added depending on the need.
According to the release, Roland W. Jackson is the federal coordinating officer for the response efforts.
The declaration allows FEMA to provide equipment and resources to affected areas, and the federal government will reimburse 75% of the cost of things like search and rescue operations and hazard removal.
At least two people have died from the flooding, and hundreds of Texans had to be rescued.