Judge declares Wichita County a disaster area
Wichita County Judge Jim Johnson has declared the county a disaster area as the result of recent heavy rains.
“We are doing this as a precautionary measure mainly to try to protect taxpayers and to be fiscally responsible,” Johnson said at Tuesday’s meeting of the county Commissioners' Court.
He said three weeks of storms and rain have inflicted damage on some county roads and bridges.
Wichita County has already been included in Gov. Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration in late April.
"This local declaration is designed to bring more attention to the situation,” Johnson said. “It’ll help us and our emergency management personnel to prepare and be ready if additional storms occur.”
He said it can also bring in additional financial assistance from the state. Individual residents may qualify for help, too.
“Individuals can go online to fill out that part of it for individuals,” said Dwayne Birkenfeld, the county’s emergency management coordinator. “We’ll work with the IT Department and get it to where they can have a QR code where they can log on and fill their information out for their homes or residence or whatever they have.”
He said the portal can put individuals in contact with state and federal authorities who can help them.
Birkenfeld said the more pictures and documentation residents can provide the better their chances of getting damage compensation.
Commissioners approved the declaration.
More: Sheppard AFB pilot dies after ejection
More: Lillies Coffee shop hosts grand opening
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Judge declares Wichita County a disaster area
