Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared a state of disaster in Uvalde in order to fast-track resources meant to help the community and cut through hindering red tape in the aftermath of the May 24 mass school shooting that left 19 young students and two teachers dead.
The declaration will “accelerate all available state and local resources to assist the Uvalde community, as well as suspend regulations that would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the aftermath of the tragic shooting,” the governor’s office said in a release.
The disaster declaration unlocks the ability of state agencies such as the Texas Division of Emergency Management to swiftly provide “all resources to respond to the disaster,” including a temporary “family resource center” to support Uvalde families and community members seeking mental health services and other resources….