Federal aid extended after hurricane impacts more Texan regions

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the federal government has updated the Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Beryl to include 10 additional Texas counties. These counties are now eligible for reimbursement for permanent work through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program.

“With the approval of 10 additional counties to the Major Disaster Declaration, Texas communities will be able to access crucial financial assistance to help them move forward in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl,” said Governor Abbott. "I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for working with our federal partners to ensure impacted Texans can rebuild their communities from any damages caused by the hurricane.”

FEMA approved its Public Assistance program for permanent work in 10 counties, including repairs to public roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and utilities, as well as parks and recreation facilities.

The ten counties include: Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Harris, Jasper, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Wharton. Texas may request additional counties for federal assistance based on completion of damage assessments in impacted communities.

FEMA has approved its Public Assistance program for certain emergency work such as emergency protective measures and debris removal for 67 Texas counties, including the 10 newly approved for additional components of the program. The Governor’s request for Public Assistance for six additional Texas counties is still pending review by FEMA.

The State of Texas continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Key actions taken include:

- July 2: Texas Emergency Management Officials urged Texans to keep an eye on the Gulf this holiday week.

- July 3: Governor Abbott directed TDEM to issue a Hurricane Beryl advisory notice for Texas Emergency Management Council.

- July 4: Governor Abbott increased readiness level of State Emergency Operations Center.

- July 5: Acting Governor Patrick issued a disaster declaration for 40 counties.

- July 6: Acting Governor Patrick added 81 Texas counties to Hurricane Beryl disaster declaration.

- July 7: Acting Governor Patrick gave a press conference on Texas’ Hurricane Beryl preparations and response.

- July 8: Acting Governor Dan Patrick provided an update on Hurricane Beryl response efforts.

- July 9: Governor Abbott provided an update on Hurricane Beryl response in Texas; Acting Governor Patrick held a press conference and media availability.

- July 10: Governor Abbott announced that 67 counties were approved for major disaster declaration; Acting Governor Patrick held a press conference to update on Hurricane Beryl response.

- July 11: Acting Governor Patrick held a press conference on state's response and recovery efforts; requested additional federal disaster assistance for 15 Texas counties; requested an extension of incident period for Hurricane Beryl.

- July 13: Governor Abbott announced approval of federal disaster assistance for 17 Texas counties.

- July 14: Governor Abbott provided an update on ongoing hurricane response and recovery efforts.

- July 15: Governor Abbott toured a resource staging area in Houston related to hurricane relief efforts.

- July 16: Governor Abbott directed CenterPoint Energy to improve their severe weather preparation and response practices.

- July24 :Governor Abbot announced transitional sheltering assistanceforHurricaneBerylsurvivors .

-August3 :GovernorAbbotannouncedapprovaloffederaldisasterassistanceforfiveadditionalcountiesfollowingHurricaneBeryl