Brazos, Grimes, Madison, Montgomery and Washington counties join a list of others mentioned in Governor Greg Abbott's disaster proclamation Saturday.

The Governor addressed the state around 1:00 p.m. to give an update on damage created by Hurricane Harvey. Earlier this week, Abbott declared a disaster in 30 counties set to be hit by the storm. During his press conference Saturday, he added another 20 counties.

For a full list of counties included in the Governor's proclamation, you can go to his website.</s>Brazos, Grimes, Madison, Montgomery and Washington counties join a list of others mentioned in Governor Greg Abbott's disaster proclamation Saturday.

The Governor addressed the state around 1:00 p.m. to give an update on damage created by Hurricane Harvey. Earlier this week, Abbott declared a disaster in 30 counties set to be hit by the storm. During his press conference Saturday, he added another 20 counties.

For a full list of counties included in the Governor's proclamation, you can go to his website.</s>Federal assistance will be critical in the days ahead.

That’s the word from Governor Greg Abbott–who is praising FEMA for its work so far in the midst of what’s shaping up to be a major disaster for portions of the Lone Star State.

“FEMA has been very actively involved and engaged in this whole process long before the hurricane even hit ground–and because of their assistance it means that Texas will be able to begin the rebuilding process very swiftly” Abbott said, adding “We are very thankful for the swift and effective action and support that we have received from the federal government.”

Meanwhile–the Governor is watching what’s happening in Houston very closely–as flood waters continue to rise in and around that area.

“This is an all out effort on search and rescue and saving peoples lives in Houston right now” Abbott said.</s>Brazos, Grimes, Madison, Montgomery and Washington counties join a list of others mentioned in Governor Greg Abbott's disaster proclamation Saturday.

The Governor addressed the state around 1:00 p.m. to give an update on damage created by Hurricane Harvey. Earlier this week, Abbott declared a disaster in 30 counties set to be hit by the storm. During his press conference Saturday, he added another 20 counties.

For a full list of counties included in the Governor's proclamation, you can go to his website.</s>Texas Governor Greg Abbott is giving an update to the amount of devastation that Texas is facing in the wake of Harvey. The hurricane made landfall in Texas as category 4 storm and brought devastating winds and torrential rain. The storm has weakened but continues to dump catastrophic amounts of rain on the Houston area. More than 20 inches have fallen in most areas with high rising waters and bayous are overflowing or rising.

The need for rescues and help has had 911 lines overflowing with caller traffic. Officials are reminding people to only use 911 for life threatening situations. Call 311 in Houston for other information and problems. Crews are mobilizing at Tully Stadium to try and make rescue runs and other states will be lending supplies and staff to help Texans.

Governor Abbott says he has spoken to FEMA Administrator Brock Long, acting DHS Sec. Elaine Duke on coordinated response.

Governor Abbott Requests The Addition Of Counties To Presidential Disaster Declaration

Governor Abbott requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) add 12 Texas counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted last week. The original request, which was quickly granted by FEMA, will provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation to Texas counties affected by the storm. Governor Abbott requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) add 12 Texas counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted last week. The original request, which was quickly granted by FEMA, will provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation to Texas counties affected by the storm.

The Presidential Disaster Declaration previously included Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, and Refugio counties. In addition to this request, the Governor has already issued a state disaster declaration for 50 Texas counties in response to the storm.</s>This storm is not a joke. Don’t try to wait it out.

Gov. Greg Abbott asked President Trump on Friday for a presidential disaster declaration in advance of Hurricane Harvey’s landfall, which would allow federal monies to flow to the areas heavily damaged by the storm.

“This is going to be a major disaster,” Abbott said after a briefing from emergency officials at the Texas Department of Public Safety. “My goal is to make it through this storm in a way that we lose no lives.”

During a news conference about final preparations, Abbott called upon residents along coastal Texas to strongly consider leaving — even if they are not in an area with mandatory evacuations.

“You need to strongly consider evacuating,” Abbott told reporters. “There will be a tremendous amount of rain dropped upon miles and miles of Texas.”

Abbott spent much of the morning on a conference call with emergency officials from local jurisdications from across the coastal region, who briefed him on their readiness.</s>LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Friday signed a disaster proclamation for the state of Texas as Hurricane Harvey began to move onto the coast.

Trump said on Twitter that he had signed the declaration at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, adding that doing so "unleashes the full force of government help."</s>AUSTIN - President Donald Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have granted Texas Governor Greg Abbott's request for a presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Harvey making landfall in Texas.

President Trump made the announcement on Twitter on Friday evening.

The declaration will provide help from the federal government to victims of the storm in Texas.

"I want to thank the President and FEMA for their quick response in granting this disaster declaration," Gov. Abbott said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our federal and local partners on all issues relating to this storm, and I encourage Texans to continue heeding all warnings from local officials."</s>Brazos, Grimes, Madison, Montgomery and Washington counties join a list of others mentioned in Governor Greg Abbott's disaster proclamation Saturday.

The Governor addressed the state around 1:00 p.m. to give an update on damage created by Hurricane Harvey. Earlier this week, Abbott declared a disaster in 30 counties set to be hit by the storm. During his press conference Saturday, he added another 20 counties.

For a full list of counties included in the Governor's proclamation, you can go to his website.</s>President Trump said Sunday he would visit hurricane-hit Texas as soon as it was possible to do so without interfering with rescue efforts.

The state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, praised the response of federal authorities to the deadly storm, saying Texas was getting “absolutely everything we need” from the White House.

Hurricane Harvey made landfall Friday night and has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. It is blamed for at least two deaths, more than a dozen injuries, and widespread heavy flooding that has struck major cities such as Houston and Corpus Christi.

“We could not be more appreciative of what the federal government has done, from the president on down,” Abbott said on ABC’s “This Week.”

Appearing on the same program, Tom Bossert, the White House homeland security advisor, said the president’s travel would be planned so as not to interfere with lifesaving activity.

“The president wants to go to show his support,” Bossert said. “He doesn’t want to go to get in the way, and he’s been very clear about that.”
At Governor Greg Abbott's request, President Trump issues a disaster proclamation for the state, freeing up federal aid for the worst-affected areas.