FEMA and the Biden Administration say five more counties in Texas now meet criteria and have been added to a federal disaster declaration. FEMA first approved some parts of Texas for the federal declaration after severe weather April 26 in West Texas and the Texas Panhandle.
Severe weather then hit the Houston area May 16 followed by storms in North Texas May 28.
The initial federal declaration covered 22 counties. Now, FEMA has added Dallas and Kaufman Counties in the Metroplex, Austin County west of Houston, Hockley County west of Lubbock and Newton County along the Louisiana border.
"The approval of five additional counties for the Presidential Disaster Declaration will help provide critical aid to Texans who have been impacted by recent severe storms. Texans are urged to continue to self-report any damages to their homes or businesses to help state and local officials determine if more counties meet the requirements for federal assistance. I thank our federal partners for continuing to work with Texas officials to support our recovery efforts as Texans rebuild and move forward," Governor Greg Abbott wrote in an email.
"I want to thank President Biden for this declaration," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins wrote in a statement. "This will bring much needed assistance to our Dallas County residents who are still recovering from the severe storms and straight-line winds."
Jenkins says the declaration "opens the door" for people to get help if they have uninsured damage, hotel costs or emergency home repairs.
Both Abbott and Jenkins urge people to report damage at damage.tdem.texas.gov.
People can apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA app or calling FEMA at (800) 621-3362.
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