Gov. Greg Abbott has officially declared North Texas a State of Disaster after storms rolled through several counties on Sunday night, Oct 20.
Lamar County was listed as one of several that have now been declared a disaster zone in accordance with the authority vested in the Governor by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code.
“The severe weather event that began on October 20, 2019, has caused widespread and severe property damage, and threatens loss of life in Cass, Cameron, Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Erath, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Panola, Rains, Rockwall, Rusk, Tarrant, Van Zandt, and Wood counties,” Abbott said in a press release on his official website.
Furthermore the release also stated, “pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.”
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor.
“However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster,” he added in the official declaration.
“To help Texans respond to the devastation caused by storms last night I have issued a Disaster Declaration for 16 counties. This provides resources to speed the recovery,” he stated on his Twitter account at 2:37 p.m. Oct 21.
PHOTO: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune.
