Clay County disaster declaration extended due to severe weather
Severe weather has impacted different counties all across Texoma and since April 1 of this year, the National Weather Service has issued 46 warnings which include thunderstorms, tornado, and flash flood warnings.
DEVELOPING: Track flood conditions across Texoma
According to a Facebook post made by Campbell on Monday, May 5, the Commissioners Court extended the declaration until June 3.
The reason for this extension is due to washed-out county roads, failed culverts, and gravel that have now washed into a creek or ditch.
Campbell said road crews are working to make roads drivable, blocking dangerous roads and to evaluate how to prevent damages from happening again.
According to the Texas Government Code, they allow county judges to declare an emergency when events like this happen.
Campbell said the county budgets for emergencies although when events like this arise, the budget is just not enough, and must resort to declaring an emergency. He also explained that last year FEMA and TDEM sent representatives to evaluate the situation and provided monetary and technical assistance.
Based on the evaluation, Campbell said the county could receive hundreds or thousands of dollars, and although it is a long process due to hours of submitting reports, the commissioners wonder if it is worth it.
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