TEXAS — Following the tumultuous weather Texas has been experiencing recently, Gov. Greg Abbott is asking for more resources. Friday, Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to request a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Texas communities affected by severe weather and tornadoes in January, according to the governor’s office.

This request comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency, otherwise known as FEMA, denied Texas’ request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration on Wednesday. 

If this most recent request is approved, this could mean low-interest loans would be provided to qualifying Texans whose homes and businesses received damage from the severe weather. 

In a statement made by Gov. Abbott, he expresses his disappointment in the lack of effort on President Biden’s part. “While we are disappointed in the Biden Administration’s decision not to support communities impacted by severe weather with FEMA assistance, the State of Texas will continue to exhaust all available options to support our fellow Texans in need,” said Gov. Abbott.