Texas seeks presidential disaster declaration after storms kill 21

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

DALLAS (Reuters) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott sought a presidential disaster declaration on Friday after severe weather this week killed at least 21 people, caused massive flooding and prompted evacuations.

Storms that battered North Texas on Thursday and Friday added more runoff to swollen rivers and prompted hundreds of calls for help in Dallas, where some areas saw up to seven inches (17.8 cm) of rain.

"Communities across the State of Texas have experienced devastating destruction, injury and – most tragically – loss of life due to the major and (an) unceasing severe weather system that has been impacting our state for weeks," said Abbott, who has declared 70 counties disaster areas.

The presidential declaration would free up federal funds to help rebuild. No estimate has been given for the damage in Texas, which has a $1.4 trillion a year economy and is the biggest domestic energy provider.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-seek-safety-texas-floods-severe-weather-kills-023616710.html

[Purveyor]

1. This is certainly warranted regardless of Austin politics. 14 years of my life I enjoyed around the

Houston area and I feel for them.

Godspeed Houstonians/Texans.

[tammywammy]

7. I'm in the DFW area, more rain coming tonight so more flooding.

I hear this morning Joe Pool Lake is so high that they don't expect it to exceed enough to open for at least 6 weeks. The creek by my house has flooded the main street the times this week, and will again tonight. Loop 12 in Dallas is shut down because the highest is flooded. Lake Bridgeport went up over 13 feet in like 5 days!

I've never seen it like this. At first everyone was glad it was raining so much, you know weeks ago, because of the drought. But now, holy crap will it please stop.

[jaysunb]

2. Hat in hand ? n/t

[Kingofalldems]

3. I hope Obama uses that opening to take over Texas

and send everyone to a Liberal retraining center.

[DustyJoe]

5. Nope

He will do the right thing as he always has.
Grant the disaster request and not politicize
21 human lives and thousands of citizens homes.

[demosincebirth]

4. I think Obama should make him say "please." I feel for them who lost family and homes.

[BlueJazz]

6. Of course. we should help. It's the kind and the right thing to do.

[Doctor_J]

8. grab your bootstraps. If that fails, pray harder

These Texas republicans are beyond disgusting, and their behavior will never change as long as there are no consequences.

[rhett o rick]

9. The President should ask that he come to Wash the DC and collect a check personally.

Then show the footage on the news.

[jwirr]

10. They will got it - President Obama is way ahead of them. Fema is already down there.