Presidential Disaster Declaration Issued For Houston

Residents are helped into a dump truck as they evacuate their apartment complex.
Residents are helped into a dump truck as they evacuate their apartment complex.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office today confirmed that President Obama has approved the governor’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties.  The action paves the way for federal recovery assistance to begin flowing into the Houston area.

“I hope this leads to help for all of our residents who were impacted by the flooding, including our most vulnerable residents in the 17 apartment complexes in the Greenspoint area,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.  “Many of these families have lost everything and they do not have the financial means to recover.  They have a whole host of needs that include housing, transportation and more.  I urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be flexible in its decision making regarding assistance for these residents.”

More than 1900 apartment units were damaged in the 17 complexes in Greenspoint.  Approximately 200 of these units took in as much as six feet of water.  In addition, hundreds of single-family homes in Houston along White Oak and Brays Bayous also suffered extensive damage.

Houston residents and business owners who sustained losses in Harris County can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or by a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

The City of Houston has established a website to help residents navigate the disaster recovery process, which includes the latest information from FEMA, as well as ways to receive and give help following the flooding. Visit houstonrecovers.org for more information. 

Watch how KTRK reporter Steve Campion rescues man trapped in high floodwater

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Anthony Obi Ogbo  |  International Guardian, Houston, TX

Just  as a widespread disaster unfolded early Monday morning in the Houston metropolitan  dumping tons of water on roadways, an interesting live scene of a rare rescue by a TV reporter made it to the newsroom. ABC News Eyewitness News reporter Steve Campion abandoned a breaking news live coverage and jumped into a high water to save a man struggling for his life.

City of Houston – Office of Emergency Management

The man had crawled out of his vehicle in the high water on Katy and Studemont Street, almost submerged, and struggling in the water as he attempted swimming to safety. Campion already positioned on a live coverage of the extraordinary flooding across the Houston area immediately leaped into the waters to provide a live-saving rescue. Steve who joined the ABC13 news family in April 2014 has been known for his versatile approach to news coverage.  

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Houston have been threatened with severe weather, with streets being waterlogged with  as high as four inches an hour, leaving motorists stranded and residents stuck in their homes. As of 6:30 a.m. CDT, rainwater totaling10 to 20 inches have reported by the Harris County Flood Control District with at least 650 residential calls for assistance.

Up-to-date Flash Flood Warning in Houston – Galveston

 Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner held a briefing at the Houston Emergency Center earlier putting the city on alert against the situation.  The mayor’s State of the City address scheduled for today was cancelled whereas  all non-essential City employees were instructed to stay home.  Municipal courts operations are also closed. According to Mayor Turner, “This is a dangerous situation and I do not want our employees trying to get to work.”

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