Governor Greg Abbott announced on May 2 that he amended the state’s disaster declaration for severe weather to include Palo Pinto County after recent storms. This brings the total number of counties covered by the disaster declaration to four, with more counties potentially being added as conditions change.
The expanded declaration is intended to help emergency responders and management teams deploy additional resources quickly to affected areas. “Texas is closely monitoring communities that have been impacted by this week’s severe storms,” said Governor Abbott. “By updating this disaster declaration, first responders and emergency management teams can swiftly deploy additional critical resources and assistance to impacted areas. Texans are urged to monitor the weather, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”
Damage assessments are ongoing as officials review reports submitted through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) survey. Residents affected by severe storms are encouraged to self-report damage using the iSTAT survey at damage.tdem.texas.gov when it is safe. These reports help officials determine resource needs for impacted communities and assess eligibility for federal assistance.
Texans can find more information about severe weather response at the TDEM Disaster Portal at disaster.texas.gov. The governor’s office has also issued a disaster declaration for North Texas storms, directed joint preliminary damage assessments with local and federal authorities in storm-impacted areas, and activated state emergency response resources ahead of forecasted risks.
Greg Abbott serves as the 48th governor leading the Texas Governor’s office according to the official website. The office provides services across Texas while promoting economic opportunity, education, public safety, cultural understanding through commissions supporting women and people with disabilities according to its official website. The historic Greek Revival-style Governor’s Mansion has served as its official residence since 1856; it is recognized as one of America’s oldest continuously occupied governor’s residences according to state records.