Disaster declaration issued for Cass County

Judge Travis Ransom issued a disaster declaration in response to the damage caused by Wednesday and Thursday’s storms. A letter from Ransom’s office was also sent to the Governor’s office informing the Texas Governor of the devastation caused by last week’s storms. On June 16, the Governor wrote a proclamation on Friday, June 16, 2023, certifying the severe weather and tornadoes that began on June 14, 2023. Those impacted by the storm are encouraged to fill out the iSTAT form.

This was the declaration from Ransom’s office: “WHEREAS, Cass County Texas suffered widespread severe damage and loss of property resulting from severe weather on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 and Thursday, June 15th, 2023 which produced heavy rain, damaging winds, hail, and multiple tornadoes which touched down damaging numerous public and private structures and placing thousands of residents without electricity for multiple days, “WHEREAS, the County Judge of Cass County has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF CASS COUNTY: That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Cass County pursuant to $418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.

“Pursuant to §418.018(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Cass County.

“Pursuant to §418.018(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.

“Pursuant to §418.01S(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the County of Cass emergency management plan.

“That this proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance. ORDERED this 16th day of June, 2023.”

The same day Ransom’s office sent this letter to the Governor: “As a result of excessive rain, hail, wind, flooding and tornadic activity that occurred Wednesday, June 14th and again on Thursday, June 15th, Cass County is currently facing tremendous physical and economic losses. Damage was sustained by numerous public and private structures and placed thousands of residents without electricity for multiple days. A large number of roads have been flooded, culverts washed away and roadbeds destroyed. Additionally, many trees have been downed due to the tornados and high winds.

“The public works and road situation in Cass County has been affected to an extent that several homes have been isolated due to impassable road and water crossings. Damage estimates are still being generated.

“It is my belief the damage to public works due to the rain, wind, flooding and tornadic activity constitutes a public health and safety hazard. I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond Cass County’s capability to recover without supplementary State and/or Federal assistance. Additionally, I certify that Cass County does not have local funding available to make the needed repairs and to provide these citizens with effective relief.

“Your assistance in this emergency matter, as it affects the safety and health needs of our citizens, would be appreciated.”

On the 17th of June, Governor Greg Abbott issued this proclamation: “WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on Friday, June 16, 2023, certifying the severe weather and tornadoes that began on June 14, 2023, and included severe storms, large hail, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, tornadoes, and hazardous wind gusts caused widespread and severe property damage, injury, or loss of life in Ochiltree and Cass counties; “NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 4 18.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby amend the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster in these additional counties: Franklin, Harrison, Marion, Upshur, and Wood counties.

“Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.

“Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster.

Montgomery County, Texas has posted an easy-to-understand explanation of the purpose of a declaration. Much of the information has been pulled from other resources: “A Disaster Declaration is a formal statement by a jurisdiction that a disaster or emergency exceeds the response and/or recovery capabilities. Although a declaration is commonly addressed after a disaster, a declaration may be made if a disaster is found to be imminent.

“Emergency Management takes a “bottom-up” approach to response and recovery in the United States and can tailor a disaster declaration to include only areas impacted by the disaster. The declaration process moves through each level of government (county, state, and federal) as resources and capabilities are taxed.

“The issuance of a local or state Disaster Declaration allows public officials to exercise emergency powers to preserve life, property, and public health following a disaster as indicated in the Texas Government Code Ch. 418. Some of the emergency powers include: “Ordering evacuation of a disaster-threatened or impacted area; Control access to an area following a disaster; Hold individuals liable for the cost of rescue efforts if they ignore mandatory evacuations; Temporarily suspend certain regulations and deadlines; and request federal financial assistance for recovery projects in the impacted disaster area.

“However, most often, declarations are sought so that federal financial assistance can be obtained for both individuals and local and state jurisdictions in an impacted area to begin the process of recovery.”

It should also be noted that there are additional criminal penalties for individuals and companies hampering the efforts of damage relief through criminal activities and price gouging that tax tamper already beleaguered resources during an emergency.

Additional information on the declaration can be found here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor- abbott-updates-disaster-declaration-for-northeast- texas-deploys-additional-state-response-resources Additionally, those impacted by the storm are encouraged to fill out the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Surveys to help determine the potential need for federal assistance to our community here: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/.