US President Obama Signs Texas Disaster Declaration
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - US President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for Texas after severe flooding this week.
The White House said Obama declared that he ordered federal aid to supplement other recovery efforts in the area affected by severe weather since May 4.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had earlier requested a presidential disaster declaration to get federal help for the counties affected.
Obama's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Harris, Hays, and Van Zandt counties.
Funding also is available to governments and some nonprofits on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repairs in Cooke, Gaines, Grimes, Harris, Hays, Navarro, and Van Zandt counties.
Officials in a Texas city about 35 miles southwest of Houston have ordered the evacuation of about 50 flood-threatened homes near the Brazos River.
The city of Rosenberg says the mandatory evacuation took effect at 9 pm CDT on Friday. Residents in the affected homes will not be allowed to re-enter the evacuated area until it is deemed safe to return.
A Red Cross shelter in the nearby city of Richmond has been set up for residents.
The river was expected to crest at 50 feet by Sunday. Late Friday evening, the river was just above its flood stage of 48 feet.
Residents in about 30 homes in Wharton, about 25 miles southwest of Rosenberg, were also ordered to evacuate Friday due to the rising Colorado River.
