Gov. Abbott Requests Addition Of Counties To Presidential Disaster Declaration
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says 3,000 national and state guard members activated as a result of Tropical Storm Harvey.
Gov. Abbott also says the number of counties declared federal disaster areas from Tropical Storm Harvey and its aftermath has increased to 18.
Abbott said Sunday 12 counties have been added to an earlier federal disaster list of six. He said President Donald Trump has approved the increase in counties.
Also, 50 counties have already been declared state disaster zones, 30 earlier in the week and 20 on Saturday.
Abbott says the counties under the federal and state declarations include Harris County, which encompasses Houston and has been experiencing severe flooding from torrential rains.
Gov. Abbott on Sunday requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency add 12 Texas counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted last Friday.
The original request, which was granted by FEMA, will provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation to Texas counties affected by the storm.
"Our partners at the federal level have stood ready to answer the call for help from Texas, and I am thankful for their assistance as we continue to assess the situation in expanded areas across our state," said Governor Abbott. "Many parts of Eastern Texas, especially in and around Houston, are experiencing historic flooding causing the need to grow for additional resources that will allow us to answer the call for help from our fellow Texans. I thank those at FEMA for their attention to the severity of the situation in Texas and the people of this great state for coming together in this time of need."
The Presidential Disaster Declaration previously included Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio and Refugio counties.
In addition to this request, the Governor has already issued a state disaster declaration for 50 Texas counties in response to the storm.
Counties added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration include:
Aransas
Brazoria
Calhoun
Chambers
Ft. Bend
Galveston
Harris
Jackson
Liberty
Matagorda
Victoria
Wharton
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)