Gov. Abbott extends storm recovery efforts by AgriLife’s Mario Villarino
Governor Greg Abbott today extended the State of Texas’ response and recovery efforts following severe storms across northeast Texas throughout Friday and overnight into Saturday. Earlier this week, the Governor directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state resources to support local officials’ response to these severe storms.
“The State of Texas stands with Texans and communities impacted by yesterday’s and last night’s severe weather across northeast Texas, and I have deployed all available resources to help respond and recover,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans impacted by this severe weather event are strongly encouraged to report damage to TDEM’s iSTAT survey so that we can provide the resources needed for our communities to recover. I thank all of our hardworking state and local emergency management personnel for their swift response to keep Texans safe and for their continued service in helping Texans recover in the aftermath of these storms.”
Preliminary damage assessments conducted by local and state officials are ongoing, and the State of Texas continues to have numerous response and recovery resources engaged across the impacted area to support requests for assistance from local officials.
Texans impacted by the severe weather are encouraged to fill out the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) survey. The information provided in the survey helps emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that have occurred and aids officials in determining if the state meets federally-required thresholds for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource needs. The iSTAT damage survey can be filled out in multiple languages online by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking on November 3-5, 2022: Severe Weather Event.
“TDEM requests the public’s assistance, particularly those who have been impacted by these severe weather events, to provide details through the iSTAT damage survey when it is safe to do so,” said TDEM Chief Nim Kidd. “This information will help officials determine where needs are and how to best assist. This survey is a valuable tool for local and state officials to gain a better understanding of the extent of damages in order to seek the resources necessary for those in need.”
Reporting damage through the iSTAT tool is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency. It does not guarantee disaster relief assistance. TDEM has published a tutorial video in English and Spanish explaining the iSTAT surveys on the survey landing page.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at m-villarino@tamu.edu.
Contributed by Mario Villarino
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