Biden declares a `major disaster` in Oklahoma

ArabiaWeather - President Joe Biden agreed on Thursday to declare a "major disaster" in Oklahoma, and ordered federal aid to be provided to 16 counties in the state affected by bad weather and severe winter storms that have been affected recently.

The White House said the announcement opens additional federal funding for affected Oklahoma counties, as individuals and companies in those counties will be able to receive grants for temporary housing or repairs, low-interest loans to cover damage to unsecured property, and other aid.

Biden had previously agreed to declare a state of emergency in Oklahoma and allowed for emergency assistance, and now Biden has agreed to declare major disasters for both Texas and Oklahoma. He also declared a state of emergency in Louisiana.

Allowing additional federal aid comes as the three states are recovering after bad weather and severe winter storms that have left dozens dead, left millions of people without electricity, and led to water shortages, and while energy has been restored to large parts of the affected areas, Many residents still receive notifications to boil water before drinking it due to damage to water resources and infrastructure.

Biden will visit Houston on Friday to meet local leaders and discuss relief and recovery efforts from the severe storm.