Henderson, Smith among East Texas counties approved for federal disaster relief funding

SMITH COUNTY, Texas ( KETK ) — The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced on Tuesday that FEMA has approved 15 additional Texas counties for federal disaster assistance following severe weather and flooding that began on April 26.

TDEM said the list of counties approved for federal help has risen to 63. FEMA approved its Public Assistance Program for 10 additional counties.

The program provides grants to governments and certain private nonprofit entities with assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, restoration or replacement of eligible public facilities and infrastructure that were damaged in a disaster.

East Texas counties now included in FEMA’s public assistance program include:

• Anderson County
• Henderson County
• Panola County
• Polk County
• Rusk County
• San Augustine County
• Shelby County
• Smith County (limited to emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance)
• Trinity County
• Van Zandt County

35 counties have been approved for Individual Assistance Program which provides funding for expenses such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.

Henderson, Polk, Smith, Trinity and Van Zandt counties are among the 35 that qualify for individual assistance program.

TDEM said Gov. Greg Abbott’s request for individual assistance for Anderson, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk and Sabine counties still remain under review by FEMA.

“I thank FEMA for working alongside Texas emergency management officials to provide all necessary resources and support to our state following the severe weather our communities endured this spring,” Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said. “The Texas Division of Emergency Management will continue to work alongside local emergency management officials to ensure our communities and fellow Texans receive the support they need throughout the long-term recovery process.”

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