President Trump signed a disaster proclamation for the state of Texas on Friday evening as Hurricane Harvey approaches from the Gulf of Mexico.
“At the request of the Governor of Texas, I have signed the Disaster Proclamation, which unleashes the full force of government help,” Trump tweeted.
Trump “ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey beginning on August 23, 2017, and continuing,” the White House said in a follow-up statement.
At the request of the Governor of Texas, I have signed the Disaster Proclamation, which unleashes the full force of government help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2017
Hurricane Harvey was upgraded to a Category 4 storm on Friday, which, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, is considered a “major” hurricane and has sustained winds between 130 miles per hour and 156 mph.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requested that Trump make the declaration, allowing federal funding to flow into areas affected by the disaster as they brace for the arrival of the “catastrophic” storm.
Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn sent a letter to President Trump on Friday urging him to declare a natural disaster as Hurricane Harvey approaches, in order to unlock federal resources.
Louisiana is also in the path of the storm and Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for his state.
