KOUNTZE, Texas — Hardin County has extended the disaster declaration that was issued less than a week ago due to damage and flooding left after storms passed through Southeast Texas.
The declaration was first issued on May 16, 2024, by Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel and extended Tuesday morning during a special session meeting of the Hardin County Commissioner's Court according to a news release from McDaniel.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video first aired on May 17, 2024.)
McDaniel issued and extended the declaration due to issues from storms that have been passing through the area since April 26, 2024, the release said.
The county's first spring storm resulting in a "flooding event" happened on April 9, McDaniel noted.
“I can’t say enough how thankful I am and how blessed Hardin County is to have so many professional first responders, which includes Road & Bridge personnel, who jump into action each time we face a disaster," McDaniel said in the release. "They know what to do, most times without being told, and they care about the citizens of Hardin County so much that they oftentimes put themselves in harm’s way to ensure their protection.”
County officials are encouraging any resident who suffered damages due to the storms to report them as soon as possible on the Texas Department of Emergency Management's website by filling out the iStat survey form.
MORE | Report storm damage to TDEM
If you are unable, or unwilling, to fill out the form on line you may call the Hardin County Office of Emergency Management at (409) 246-5198 or the County Judge’s Office at (409) 246-5120 for assistance in reporting damages.
For the county to receive FEMA assistance it must meet a certain threshold of damages. Reporting your damages will help make sure all damage is reported and will help the county meet this threshold.
Texas Governor Abbott, on Sunday, submitted a request to President Biden to have Hardin County added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration for "individual assistance," according to McDaniel.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.