Ice Storm in Texas: Governor Expands Disaster Relief to Additional Counties

Austin, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott today expanded the state’s disaster declaration to include additional counties affected by an ice storm that began in January and continued through early February.

Added Anderson, Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Delta, Falls, Hopkins, Hunt, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Red River, Robertson, and Shelby counties to Governor’s Disaster Announcement.

These counties join Denton, Hayes, Henderson, Milam, Smith, Travis, and Williamson counties, which were included in the Governor’s February 4 disaster statement.

Officials say additional counties may be added to the declaration as damage assessments are completed.

RELATED STORY: Austin Resource Recovery continues to collect ‘unprecedented’ amounts of hurricane debris

RELATED STORY: Texas Ice Storm: Travis County Property Owners Can Get Property Tax Relief

Governor Abbott last week directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to request personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to confirm the claimed losses through a joint pre-damage assessment in collaboration with local and state officials.

In addition, TDEM has deployed specialized teams across the state of Texas to work with utility providers and electric cooperatives in affected areas to identify damage to infrastructure and identify potential disaster relief opportunities.

“As the extent of the damage caused during the recent ice storm becomes more apparent, it is important that we continue to provide assistance and full support to all affected communities,” Governor Abbott said in a press release.

“Adding these counties to our disaster declaration will ensure Texas communities have all the resources available to them as they continue to recover from this storm. I thank TDEM and our emergency response partners for working to meet the needs of Texans during this recovery process,” adds Abbott.