Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended a disaster declaration to four additional counties, bringing the total to 108, after storms ripped across the Lone Star State on Saturday and Sunday.
Seven people were killed by a tornado in Cooke County alone. In total, 17 people died across the U.S. over the weekend as a result of the extreme weather conditions, which also affected Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky.
Texas has been hit hard by a wave of extreme weather since later April, including powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes that resulted in widespread disruption across the state. On Thursday, President Joe Biden extended the federal disaster declaration already in place to an additional seven counties in Texas.
Greg Abbott speaking at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on March 26, 2024. Abbott has extended a disaster declaration to four additional counties in Texas.
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/GETTY
In a proclamation published on his official website on Sunday, Abbott confirmed his already in force disaster proclamation had been extended to Denton, Montague, Cooke and Collin counties.
“Any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor,” he wrote.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Abbott said: “Texans across the state are saddened by the tragic loss of life in the storms that have now claimed at least seven lives. There is no information that there’s more than that who will be found deceased but we know at least seven have lost their lives.”
The governor also confirmed that “at least about 100 people” had been injured in the storms, while “more than 200 homes and structures” were destroyed and a further 120 were damaged.
Referring to the injuries and damage Abbott added: “I’ll be shocked if those numbers are not increased as further assessments are made.”
Children Among Victims
Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed the seven tornado victims included children aged two and five. Speaking to AP about the aftermath he said: “It’s just a trail of debris left. The devastation is pretty severe.”
Abbott expressed his horror over their deaths, commenting: “We are going through the heart-wrenching loss of life, including the heartbreak of a family losing a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old child.
“When they woke up yesterday, they had no way of knowing the family would be literally crushed by this horrific storm.”
Newsweek approached Abbott’s office for comment by email on Monday outside of normal office hours.
Authorities also confirmed at least five people were killed by storms in Arkansas, including two in Marion County, and two died in Mayes County, Oklahoma, according to the Associated Press.
In a statement paying tribute to the dead, President Biden said: “Jill and I are praying for those who tragically lost their lives as a result of devastating tornadoes that tore through Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, leveling entire communities and leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
“This comes as communities across the Midwest and South are still reeling from deadly storms and severe weather.”
Earlier in the week, a series of tornadoes ripped across Iowa leaving at least five people dead and dozens injured.
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