The State of Texas will provide up to $50 million for debris removal in areas affected by severe weather this spring. The declaration will cover debris removal after the derecho in Houston May 16 and Hurricane Beryl in July.
In May, winds of up to 100 miles an hour spread across much of the Houston area and Southeast Texas. At least nine people died, trees were uprooted, windows were blown out and some buildings were damaged.
July 8, Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, about 50 miles south of Houston. The hurricane then moved inland over East Texas. At least 42 people died.
After the hurricane, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 122 counties; he renewed the declaration last week.
Abbott now says state lawmakers have now approved $50 million for debris removal from both the derecho and Hurricane Beryl.
“As Southeast Texas recovers from devastating severe weather this summer, Texas continues working to support local communities as they rebuild and move forward from Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho Storm,” Abbott wrote in a statement Wednesday.