FEMA Declares Emergency As Tropical Storm Hanna Strikes Texas

HOUSTON, TX — A federal emergency declaration request for public assistance in the wake of Tropical Storm Hanna's landfall in Texas has been approved. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Donald Trump granted the request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, the governor said.

Hanna pummeled the Texas Gulf Coast on Saturday, making landfall twice as a Category 1 storm while lashing the state's shoreline with heavy rains, intense winds and damaging storm surge. Hanna has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, CNN and others have reported, but Abbott said a serious flood risk remained Sunday afternoon throughout the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley.

"I urge Texans in the storm's path to closely monitor severe weather, road conditions, and the warnings of your local officials,” Abbott said.

The approved emergency declaration falls in FEMA's category B, which is listed as emergency protective measures. Trump's approval means FEMA will be able to provide emergency protective measures for evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding, the governor said.

"I thank President Trump and our partners at FEMA for their quick response in granting this federal emergency declaration," Abbott said. "We will continue to work with our federal and local partners as we assess the damage from Hurricane Hanna and may seek additional federal assistance as we continue to respond, recover, and rebuild our communities."