Most people in Texas have their power back on, but nearly half the state is facing a major water crisis. Almost 15 million residents are without water. Saturday morning President Joe Biden signed a major disaster declaration “and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms.” This opens up federal funding for those in the impacted areas.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures and hazard mitigation measures statewide.
In the meantime, people are flocking to food banks and water distribution sites, many are waiting hours to get bottled water.
Temperatures are expected to rise back above freezing in Texas today and power outages are steadily dropping, but millions are in need of clean water and a growing number are calling for accountability.
Our story for @TODAYshow: pic.twitter.com/BqecmSH5xd
— Morgan Chesky (@BreakingChesky) February 20, 2021
Almost 100,000 people in the state remain without power as well. Some are going on five days in the dark. MSNBC’s Brian Williams talked to one Texas official about the crisis. Watch above.