On Feb. 1, Mayor Brandt Rydell issued a disaster declaration in Taylor.
“This declaration gives us the authority to take any measures necessary to keep our community safe, including the authorization of funds and resources for aid and assistance,” Rydell said in a written statement.
“It also allows the city to apply for state and federal disaster relief funds as they become available.” City Spokesperson Stacey Osborne said Feb. 2 was too soon yet to determine what this aid at the state and federal level will look like to help people in the community.
“Right now, we are just reacting and making sure people are taken care of,” Osborne said. “One thing we have done though is allow people to make repairs without any permits . . . we want people to be safe and to make sure that their property is safe, so if they have an emergency or if they have a problem, we encourage them to please make those repairs and do what they need to do.”
Osborne said due to the widespread power outages, as well as the other hazards associated with the ice storm, the city is mobilizing all available resources and conducting meetings of the emergency operations center, which was activated Tuesday, Jan. 31, twice a day under the leadership of Fire Chief Daniel Baum.
“He gives us the lowdown of what is happening with the city and has everyone give a report,” she said. “Yesterday (Feb. 1), he said there were upwards of 100 streets that had reported limbs down, which is a lot.”
District 4 Councilman Robert Garcia said different city departments are busy working together to clear downed trees and limbs from the streets to help emergency personnel get to where they need to be.
“I know the streets department, the water department, the parks department are all out here driving the streets, cutting trees that are blocking roads,” he said.
In the meantime, officials are asking for the public’s patience, and are asking people to call 911 to report anything is blocking a roadway, endangering human life, or other hazards.
To read the Mayor’s disaster declaration, go to https://www.ci.taylor. tx.us/DocumentCenter/ View/13207/Winter-Storm-Disaster-Declaration-0201-2023.
For further emergency resources, visit the city’s website: http://www.taylortx. gov/1121/EMERGENCYUPDATES- ANDRESOURCES
