In preparation for the landfalls of both tropical storms Marco and Laura this week, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring a state of disaster in 23 coastal counties Aug. 23, which was subsequently approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Donald Trump on Aug. 24.
According to a press release from the governor's office, the granted request authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75% federal funding. Counties included in the declaration are as follows: Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy.
"Texas is grateful to President Trump and our partners at FEMA for quickly granting this Federal Emergency Declaration," Abbott said in a statement. "As Tropical Storms Marco and Laura head towards the coast, the state of Texas is working with local and federal partners to ensure our communities have the resources they need to respond to these storms."
According to the release, Marco is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Monday before moving toward Texas on Aug. 25 as a tropical depression, bringing with it heavy rain and tropical storm-force winds. Although Marco reached hurricane status Aug. 23, it has since been downgraded to a tropical storm.
