AUSTIN - Today the federal government granted Governor Greg Abbott's request for Individual and Public Assistance for Orange, Jasper and Newton counties.
"I would like to thank FEMA for their quick response to Texas' request for Individual and Public Assistance to Texans affected by severe weather," said Governor Abbott. "We are working with our local partners to ensure life safety needs continue to be met and with our federal government partners to ensure Texans receive all eligible assistance they need to recover from, and ultimately surmount, the challenges posed by the flooding in Southeast Texas."
PREVIOUS REPORT: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a presidential disaster proclamation for three southeast Texas counties hard-hit by flooding from last week's storms that have led to thousands of evacuations and has destroyed or severely damaged more than 680 homes.
A statement issued Friday by Abbott's office says he's written to President Barack Obama to request federal disaster aid for Jasper, Newton and Orange counties.
In a letter to Obama, Abbott wrote the storms have destroyed or severely damaged 687 homes, while another 4,460 homes received minor damage.
The presidential disaster declaration would send federal resources to help with recovery.
The flooding has led to the closure of Interstate 10 at the Texas-Louisiana border. The westbound lanes were reopened Friday. The eastbound lanes remain closed.