The White House has issued a Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas in response to the severe winter weather throughout the state.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the president’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety in all 254 Texas counties.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) submitted a request for this declaration to assist the state in response to efforts related to the storm. “I thank President Biden for quickly issuing a Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas as we continue to respond to severe winter weather conditions throughout the state,” said Abbott. “This disaster declaration provides Texas with additional resources and assistance that will help our communities respond to this winter weather.”
Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner, told The Wall Street Journal he was urging state utilities to restore electricity to rural areas. Some areas were without power for more than 30 hours. Miller has been fielding calls from cattlemen losing calves to the cold and poultry farmers struggling with frozen water pipes.
