Saturday, 20 February 2021 (YJC) _President Biden declares major disaster in Texas as federal aid flows.
Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Texas, which has suffered widespread power blackouts and water shortages during a deep freeze, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) said on Saturday.
The action makes federal funding available to individuals across the state, including assistance for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans.
Though many in Texas have had their power restored, the state is still reeling from the winter storm that pummeled its power grid and left millions without heat, food or safe drinking water.
Half of the state is under a boil-water advisory after water treatment centers experienced blackouts. Even those with access to safe water have been told to turn off their water, for fear thawing pipes will burst, causing flooding.
Anger has spread over attempts to spread blame for the crisis among elected Republican officials at state and federal levels.
Rick Perry, a former governor, US energy secretary and candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, was widely ridiculed after he said “Texans would be without electricity for longer than three days to keep the federal government out of their business.”
Now Biden has approved federal aid. At least 30 people have died in Texas since Sunday.
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