As hurricane Laura heads towards a possible landfall on the Texas coast, Governor Greg Abbott issued a state disaster declaration and requested an Emergency Declaration from President Trump and FEMA for Public Assistance Category B (Emergency Protective Measures), Direct Federal Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
In a Tuesday press conference, Gov. Abbott mentioned that it looks as if the hurricane could be a "Category 3" hurricane at landfall in Texas, "but we need to prepare for it to be a Category 4 hurricane" said Abbott.
Counties included in the state disaster declaration include Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy.
The Governor said he is making additional disaster declaration for 36 additional counties in Texas, including Dallas County, where evacuation shelters will be open to the public.
"Texas is grateful to President Trump and our partners at FEMA for quickly granting this Federal Emergency Declaration," said Governor Abbott. "As hurricane Laura head towards the coast, the State of Texas is working with local and federal partners to ensure our communities have the resources they need to respond to these storms."
Governor Abbott announced that he had also mobilized the Texas National Guard for evacuation assistance and that a "massive increase" of DPS and law enforcement will be in the evacuated areas to help protect private property.
A press release sent out by the Governor explained how more than 70 members with the Texas Army, Air National Guards, and Texas State Guard with the Texas Military Department (TMD) were activated and being prepositioned throughout the state ahead of hurricane Laura.