Seven Texas counties have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants for emergency work and replacement of disasterdamaged public infrastructure, after severe weather and flooding struck much of Deep East Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott’s office reported. Counties eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program include Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker.
An additional 21 Texas counties remain on review for possible inclusion under the aid program. In addition, a number of counties have been approved for individual assistance funding, for expenses such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs and help with medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster. Those include Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties.
Abbott also announced that the federal food program known as SNAP has approved allowing its recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food that was lost or destroyed in the recent storms.
Any Texan in need can apply for benefits at YourTexasBenefits. com.
A Central Texas ranching family is pushing for a statewide ban on balloon releases after a string of balloons landed in a deer pen, spooking three young deer to thrash against the fence, The Dallas Morning News reported. The owners of 4 Generations Ranch in Crawford posted photographs of deer with cuts on their faces and bodies, and a now-deflated string of pink, blue, orange, and black balloons.
“Balloons don’t go to heaven,” David Meyer told The News on Wednesday. “What goes up must come down.”
At least five states have banned or restricted balloon releases, but efforts to do so in Texas have fallen short.
$17 million grant for rural hospitals The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will award $17 million in grants for rural hospitals over the next two years.
“I thank Governor Abbott and state lawmakers for this important funding,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. “Rural hospitals are a critical part of the healthcare system in Texas, and HHSC is proud to facilitate initiatives like this to support Texans and our rural communities.”
The grant will provide qualifying hospitals $100,000 to $375,00 in grants over a two-year period. The money can be used to supplement operational expenses, repay debt, make facility repairs and buy or rent equipment.
Federal forecasters predict record storm number Wind changes caused by the prevalent La Niña weather pattern, along with warmer-thanaverage ocean temperatures are predicted by federal forecasters to result in an active hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.
Forecasters with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting between 17 and 25 named storms this season, -- the highest ever predicted.
NOAA defines an average Atlantic hurricane season as one with 14 named storms.
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad told The Tribune that the “extraordinarily high, recordwarm water temperatures” in the Atlantic are energizing the ocean, which can fuel storm development.
The Texas coast is particularly vulnerable to storm impact. Ken Graham, NOAA’s weather service director, said possibly affected residents should plan an evacuation route, have a disaster supply kit on hand, and consider purchasing home and flood insurance.
“You can’t wait ‘til the storm surfaces because you may not have the time,” he said. “Then you’re competing to get water. You’re getting in the long lines for evacuations, the traffic. So, the earlier you can prepare the better.”
Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com.