Trump approves Abbott’s emergency declaration ahead of tropical storms Marco, Laura

BEXAR COUNTY (Texas News Radio) — President Donald Trump approved Texas’ emergency declaration Monday ahead of the arrival of tropical storms Marco and Laura.

Texas governor Greg Abbott requested federal assistance Sunday in 23 counties when he issued a state disaster declaration for those states.

The declaration includes the counties of 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.  Bexar County will be the staging location for resources to assist the other 22 counties.

“Texas is grateful to President Trump and our partners at FEMA for quickly granting this Federal Emergency Declaration,” said Governor Abbott. “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.”

Tropical Storm Marco, which downgraded from hurricane status overnight Sunday into Monday, is expected to ride the Louisiana coast and continue to weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday afternoon.  The National Weather Service expects Marco to become a post-tropical system as it approaches Galveston before eventually dying out.

Tropical Storm Laura — currently along the coast of Cuba — is expected to continue to strengthen into a hurricane and reach the Texas/Louisiana border by Thursday.