AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More than two dozen Texas counties are now eligible for federal help following deadly end-of-December blizzards and tornadoes.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday declared 25 counties federal disaster areas. Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 26 requested the disaster designation to provide expanded government assistance.
The declaration covers Bailey, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Ellis, Hall, Hardeman, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Kaufman, Kent, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Navarro, Parmer, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Titus and Van Zandt counties.
Storms reached West Texas on Christmas Day. Twisters and other violent weather hit North Texas the following day, claiming at least 13 lives.
Abbott's request for individual assistance is pending for Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Franklin, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties.