Gov. Rick Perry said late Tuesday night that the White House rejected his request for a federal major disaster declaration for areas of Texas affected by recent wildfires, but FEMA says they've already provided Texas assistance.
In a statement, Perry said he was "dismayed" by the rejection earlier in the day.
"It is not only the obligation of the federal government, but its responsibility under law to help its citizens in times of emergency," he said.
Last week, Perry criticized President Barack Obama's administration for its speedy disaster declarations for areas hit by the tornadoes in the South that killed more than 300 people while Texas' request went unanswered.
"You have to ask, 'Why are you taking care of Alabama and other states?' I know our letter didn't get lost in the mail," Perry said Thursday.
His April 17 request for a disaster declaration for nearly all of the state's counties came before last week's wave of tornadoes and other damaging storms.
A "major disaster declaration" would have made the state eligible for help in responding to and recovering from the emergency.
Since November, 9,000 fires statewide have destroyed or damaged more than 400 homes, Perry said. In all, more than 2.2 million acres have burned and two firefighters died in separate incidents.
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I really do not think there is much the fed could have done. we have had firefighters from multiple states come in. i'm not really sure what claiming a major federal disaster declaration does. ive been through two hurricanes and never seen any federal assistance. i thought the declarations were standard operating procedures. no space shuttle, no disaster relief, the reporter from dallas, im guessing obama doesnt care too much about tx for the next election.
In a statement, Perry said he was "dismayed" by the rejection earlier in the day.
"It is not only the obligation of the federal government, but its responsibility under law to help its citizens in times of emergency," he said.
Last week, Perry criticized President Barack Obama's administration for its speedy disaster declarations for areas hit by the tornadoes in the South that killed more than 300 people while Texas' request went unanswered.
"You have to ask, 'Why are you taking care of Alabama and other states?' I know our letter didn't get lost in the mail," Perry said Thursday.
His April 17 request for a disaster declaration for nearly all of the state's counties came before last week's wave of tornadoes and other damaging storms.
A "major disaster declaration" would have made the state eligible for help in responding to and recovering from the emergency.
Since November, 9,000 fires statewide have destroyed or damaged more than 400 homes, Perry said. In all, more than 2.2 million acres have burned and two firefighters died in separate incidents.
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I really do not think there is much the fed could have done. we have had firefighters from multiple states come in. i'm not really sure what claiming a major federal disaster declaration does. ive been through two hurricanes and never seen any federal assistance. i thought the declarations were standard operating procedures. no space shuttle, no disaster relief, the reporter from dallas, im guessing obama doesnt care too much about tx for the next election.
