Governor, local officials share updates on tornado recovery

State and local leaders are encouraging Elgin residents affected by Monday’s tornado to seek assistance and have begun looking towards the recovery process.

On Wednesday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference in the Elgin Fire Department station with Texas Department Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape and Elgin Mayor Ron Ramirez. The press conference focused on the effects of the tornado and the future recovery efforts.

Over 100 homes were affected by the tornado, with 19 being destroyed; however, no lives were lost. Additionally, no one is currently in need of shelter, and those who have been displaced are either staying with family or friends or being housed in a hotel room.

On Tuesday, Abbott signed a disaster declaration for 16 counties, including Bastrop County, which he showed at the press conference. This disaster declaration can help make resources available and accelerate recovery from a disaster.

“We're here to make clear to the leaders of Bastrop County and Elgin that Texas stands shoulder to shoulder with them in their recovery,” Abbott said. “Bottom line is this: we want to be with you every step of the way, knowing the difficulties that you're going through right now. We're here to help to make the repair process, the restoration process, move as swiftly as it possibly can.”

Ramirez told anyone affected by the tornadoes to reach out for help.

“All of you in Elgin that were affected by this storm, I want you to reach out and ask for help,” he said. “Help is out there from Elgin, and help is out there from the county and the state. For instance, we have four families that we met just 15 minutes ago that all had houses either destroyed or with major damage, and we've already started hooking them up with help.”

Those affected by the tornadoes can report damages to damage.tdem.texas.gov. Identifying uninsured damage can help Texas receive federal assistance towards the recovery effort, Kidd said.

Anyone in Bastrop County who needs any kind of assistance or information can also call a hotline at 512-303-4300. Christine Files, coordinator of the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, said any needs can be addressed through that hotline, such as clothing and furniture. She added that the Elgin Evening Lions Club is collecting donations at their thrift shop, and those affected by the tornado can get a voucher to shop at Bastrop County thrift stores.

“We're prepared to take care of any need there is,” Files said. “All you need to do is reach out.”

The entire video of the press conference can be viewed on Facebook @CityOfElginTX.