Judge urges people to report damages

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Hopkins still not on request list for FEMA aid

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So far, 126 Texas counties fall under the major disaster declaration, and their residents are eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, meaning that some of costs inflicted by the winter storm will be covered by federal funds.

However, Hopkins County is not one of those counties nor is it on the list of 54 requested counties the Texas Department of Emergency Management sent to FEMA last Thursday.

“They want numbers,” Newsom said. “Not necessarily damages, but they want numbers of people.”

During the winter storm two weeks ago, Hopkins County residents lost power and water, and when the water came back, it had to be boiled for some. It also caused main line breaks throughout Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, leading to those very boil water advisories.

However, the number of individuals reporting damages is low. As of last week, less than 10 people had reported damages inside Hopkins County. Due to that, Hopkins County had been left outside of any state request for federal assistance, but Newsom aimed to change that with a bulletin to local businesses.

“Frozen pipes cost hundreds of dollars to to fix,” Newsom said. “Please turn that in. That’s all we’re asking.”

Nearby counties qualifying for disaster assistance include Hunt and Wood. Delta, Franklin and Rains have been requested by the TDEM for approval. Gov. Greg Abbott originally requested all 254 counties be approved for a major disaster declaration.

Newsom issued a local declaration of disaster last week to help in qualifying for aid, and the county estimated about $1.5 million in damages caused by the winter storm.

People can report their damages on damage.tdem.texas.gov.