Hardin County Seal
The Hardin County Commissioners Court approved Judge Wayne McDaniel's request for a continuation of Declaration of Disaster during a special meeting on May 21.
McDaniel, Sheriff Mark Davis and Emergency Management Coordinator Aaron Tupper discussed the response efforts that all have undertaken during the ongoing spring severe weather and flooding event that began on April 26, soon after our first spring storm and flooding event that occurred on April 9.
According to McDaniel, Road and Bridge personnel, sheriff’s deputies, fire department personnel and citizens have all worked together throughout the weeks-long disaster event to protect life and property.
“I can’t say enough how thankful I am and how blessed Hardin County is to have so many professional first responders, which includes Road and Bridge personnel, who jump into action each time we face a disaster. They know what to do, most times without being told, and they care about the citizens of Hardin County so much that they oftentimes put themselves in harm’s way to ensure their protection,” stated McDaniel.
McDaniel noted county officials have discussed the recovery efforts that are underway and the importance of citizens who suffered any damages to their home to report those damages via the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) iSTAT website as soon as possible.
Anyone is unable or unwilling to submit their information in this manner, they can call Emergency Management at (409) 246-5198 or the County Judge’s Office at (409) 246-5120 and they will be assisted in reporting damages.
"This is imperative to ensure that Hardin County meets its threshold for FEMA assistance, both individual assistance and public assistance. On May 19, Gov. Greg Abbott submitted his request to President Joe Biden for Hardin County to be added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance.
McDaniel also updated the court and public on the mosquito abatement process. He stated it is a difficult process, but are clearing the hurdles put in place by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in hopes that we will be approved for this assistance.
He stated Hardin County Health Services began the process last week, and they conducted the required landing counts overnight on May 20.
"Those results should be in later today or tomorrow, and will be sent to DSHS as required. If all of the criteria has been met, I will submit a STAR (State of Texas Assistance Request) to Texas Division of Emergency Management for mosquito abatement in Hardin County later this week or early next week," stated the county judge. "This STAR will only be approved if President Biden declares Hardin County for FEMA Public Assistance, and my best guess is that we are a few weeks away from that determination. If my STAR is not approved, then mosquito abatement cannot be conducted in Hardin County."
McDaniel added as flood waters recede, county and state personnel will be out in the affected areas county-wide to assess damages to public infrastructure as well as residential damages.
"Please be patient with us as we continue to assess damages and report those to the State of Texas as it will take some time to complete this process, which we do in hopes that we can recover in the years to come and be in better shape than we were prior to this disaster," he stated.
The county judge also wants to remind the public that the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and is forecasted to be an active season.
"The time to prepare yourself, your family and your pets is now. Please do not wait until the last minute," stated McDaniel.
Visit ready.gov/hurricanes for a checklist of things you can do to be prepared in the event that Hardin County sees a hurricane this summer.