Texas Division of Emergency Management leads storm recovery coordination with local partners

Dallas, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has announced new steps to support Northeast Texas communities hit hard by recent severe storms. In a statement, the Governor said he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to ask the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to join state and local teams in assessing the storm damage. These joint preliminary damage assessments are a key step in determining if Texas qualifies for federal disaster assistance.

“Communities in North Texas continue to recover from severe weather that hit over the weekend,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration join state and local officials to assess storm damage to homes and businesses to see if Texas qualifies for low-interest loans critical to rebuild impacted communities. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for working tirelessly with local partners to ensure communities in North Texas meet the eligibility requirements for additional financial assistance.”

Currently, officials are gathering disaster damage information from Texans who report losses through TDEM’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool, known as iSTAT. Abbott urged all affected residents to submit details about any damage as soon as it is safe to do so. Texans can share this information online at damage.tdem.texas.gov. Collecting this data is crucial, as it helps state and federal officials better understand the extent of the destruction and ensure resources reach those who need them most.

In preparation for the storms, Governor Abbott had already mobilized state emergency resources last week. This included the deployment of Texas Highway Patrol troopers, specialized rescue boat teams, and helicopters equipped with hoist capabilities to assist with search and rescue operations.

As communities across Northeast Texas continue to pick up the pieces, state leaders are working closely with federal partners to speed up recovery efforts. Governor Abbott stressed the importance of a swift and thorough assessment process, aiming to connect impacted Texans with critical financial support as quickly as possible.