MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas — Midland County and the City of Midland have declared a disaster due to severe weather, including tornadoes, high winds, hail and flooding, according to a press release from Midland County.
Residents and businesses can seek assistance through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with damage reported through state assessment tools.
Residents who have sustained damage are asked to report that damage to the Midland County Office of Emergency Management through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool.
Midland County Fire Marshal Justin Bunch shared the declaration will be sent to the state where officials determine the future of the County's request. Upon approval, it is then sent to FEMA. It is up to FEMA to determine whether it'll move forward with the request where assistance is typically provided in the form of low interest loans provided by the Small Business Administration.
Businesses can report their damage through the Public State of Texas Assessment tool.
Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) link: Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) (arcgis.com)
Public State of Texas Assessment Tool link: TDEM PA S123App (arcgis.com)
The release stated that reporting damage does not ensure relief.
According to Fire Marshal Bunch, these damage assessments also help the county track where most of the damage occurred that could be kept for future use.