Governor Greg Abbott has requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for South Texas communities affected by severe storms earlier this month. If granted, the SBA declaration will offer federal assistance through disaster loans for Jim Wells County and neighboring areas.
“Today, I requested a disaster declaration for Texans in Jim Wells County whose homes or businesses were damaged by recent severe storms,” said Governor Abbott. “Approval of this declaration will provide access to low-interest loans to help Texans rebuild their communities. As Jim Wells County and surrounding areas begin to recover, I urge Texans to report any damage to their homes or businesses through the iSTAT damage surveys.”
If approved, the SBA would extend low-interest loans via disaster programs to eligible Texans whose properties suffered damage during the severe weather, including tornadoes, thunderstorms, and straight-line winds.
This request comes after an analysis of the damage in affected areas conducted by local, state, and federal officials. The assessment confirms that Jim Wells County meets federally required thresholds for SBA assistance. Officials also examined disaster damage details submitted by Texans through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) surveys.
Governor Abbott continues efforts to provide resources to support local communities impacted by severe storms by:
– Requesting joint preliminary damage assessments from local, state, and federal partners for homes and businesses in South Texas.
– Activating state emergency response resources ahead of severe weather threats.
