AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Greg Abbott has requested a federal disaster declaration for a dozen Texas counties inundated by flooding and other damage from recent storms.
Abbott on Thursday sought individual and public assistance for Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller and Washington counties.
A federal declaration could clear the way for individual assistance grants of up to $33,000 and low-interest disaster loans.
Abbott says storms that began in late May devastated the property and lives of thousands of Texans. Mandatory evacuations continued Thursday along parts of the flooded Brazos River in Brazoria County.
The governor on Wednesday added 15 counties to his June 1 disaster declaration linked to severe weather, bringing to 46 the number of Texas counties covered by the proclamation.