By Moses Leos III

A disaster declaration signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Friday may pave the way for Hays County, along with 14 other counties in the state, to receive federal disaster funding. 

According to the governor’s website, Abbot officially declared a state of disaster for 15 counties. His declaration comes after preliminary damage assessments were finalized and federal disaster criteria was met. 

In addtion, Abbot is requesting President Barack Obama to declare a “major disaster for individual assistance.” 

Should Abbot’s request be granted, citizens in the affected counties could be eligible for grants of up to $33,000 from the federal government, along with low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Association. 

“The flooding that occurred this past October throughout the state forever changed many Texans’ lives,” said Gov. Abbott in a statement. “Declaring a disaster in the Lone Star State may allow affected citizens across the state to gain access to the resources they need in order to start rebuilding their lives. I have no doubt that the victims of this flooding will build an even stronger future for themselves, their families and the State of Texas.”

His announcement comes roughly a month after heavy rains dumped anywhere between 6 to 16 inches of rain across Hays County on Oct. 30. 

The rain event led to extensive flooding that affected nearly every corner of Hays County. Soon after the Oct. 30 flood, Hays County, along with Buda and Kyle, began to assess flood damage. 

Damage from the flooding led both Buda Mayor Todd Ruge and Kyle Mayor Todd Webster to sign disaster declarations on Oct. 31.