President Donald Trump has signed a Disaster Proclamation for Texas at the request of Gov Abbott.
The President can declare a major disaster for any natural event, including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought that the President determines has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond.
A major disaster declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work.
Not all programs, however, are activated for every disaster.
The determination of which programs are authorized is based on the types of assistance specified in the Governor's request and the needs identified during the joint PDA and subsequent PDAs.