Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has taken steps to initiate preliminary damage assessments in Northeast Texas, following severe storms that impacted the area. Abbott has tasked the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to coordinate with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local entities for this evaluation process. The aim is to ascertain whether Texas meets federal criteria for disaster assistance.

Abbott emphasized the ongoing recovery efforts in North Texas. "Communities in North Texas continue to recover from severe weather that hit over the weekend," he stated. The governor's request to the SBA involves assessing the storm damage to ascertain whether Texas qualifies for low-interest loans necessary for rebuilding the affected communities. Abbott expressed gratitude toward TDEM for their dedicated efforts alongside local partners in assisting North Texas to qualify for additional financial support.

The authorities are reviewing damage information reported by residents through TDEM's Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). Texans affected by the storms are urged to report damage to homes or businesses. Individuals can provide this essential information by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov, which helps officials pinpoint impacted areas and offer necessary resources.

Proactive measures were taken last week by Governor Abbott, as he activated state emergency response resources, preparing for severe weather threats. These measures included deploying Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, rescue boat teams, and helicopters equipped with hoist capabilities.