According to a recent update from Governor Greg Abbott’s office, Texas has won federal disaster relief to assist residents in five additional counties affected by Hurricane Beryl. The scope of relief has expanded with the inclusion of Austin, Bowie, Shelby, Trinity, and Waller counties, allowing more Texans to seek assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, according to the Governor of Texas’ official website.
The governor stated in a press release: “This approval to include five additional counties for individual assistance is a critical step forward to ensure Texans can recover and rebuild from Hurricane Beryl.” The governor has set aside these funds for essentials such as interim lodging and unexpected house repairs. Residents of the affected counties can now apply for this much-needed assistance on disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s helpline. In reaction to the disaster, Texas authorities at all levels of government have been working hard since early July to address the aftermath and seek extra assistance for the affected towns.
Federal assistance aims to cover a wide range of expenses, from uninsured property damage to catastrophic medical costs resulting from the hurricane’s aftermath, and the newly added counties join a larger list of eligible places. The goal of such service diversification is to soften the impact that Hurricane Beryl has had on these areas and make the transition to normalcy easier for the population.
Since July began, the Texas government has been aggressive, with Governor Abbott and Acting Governor Dan Patrick leading the state’s response. Governor Abbott has been actively involved, directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management and encouraging utility companies to improve their severe weather response, while Acting Governor Patrick has kept the public informed and sought additional federal aid, touring affected areas and overseeing a statewide coordinated response to the disaster. Should additional evaluations reveal greater damages, Texas could suggest designating additional counties for federal assistance, offering a glimmer of hope to those still reeling from Beryl’s devastation.
