Abbott Declares a Disaster in El Paso County After a Week of Flooding, and Tells Texans to Report Damage Through iSTAT
The Oct. 29 proclamation covers the storm event that began Oct. 23, frees state resources and emergency contracting, and keeps TDEM crews working in Far West Texas.
Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a state disaster declaration for El Paso County after heavy rainfall and flash flooding hit Far West Texas, making the full resources of state government available for response and recovery. The declaration, issued Oct. 29, covers the severe storm event that began Oct. 23, which the governor's proclamation certifies poses a threat of imminent disaster - including widespread and severe property damage, injury or loss of life - in El Paso County, under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code.
'I issued a state disaster declaration for El Paso County to ensure the full resources of the State of Texas are available to support local response and recovery after heavy rainfall and flooding,' Abbott said in the release. 'Texans affected by this storm should report damage through the iSTAT survey once it is safe so officials can assess needs and eligibility for federal assistance.'
The proclamation authorizes the use of all available state resources and lets the governor's office suspend regulatory rules and state contracting and procurement requirements to the extent they would impede an emergency response. State emergency resources deployed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the governor's direction remain engaged in support of local response and recovery, the governor's office said.
The damage reports matter beyond the county line: iSTAT submissions at damage.tdem.texas.gov are how officials measure whether federal disaster-assistance thresholds have been met and where immediate needs sit. With more rain and flooding threats continuing, the state is also repeating its standing warning - monitor local forecasts, follow emergency management guidance, and never drive through flooded roadways.
