Obama declares state of emergency in wildfire-ravaged Texas

President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Texas, making federal funding available to those affected by wildfires in Bastrop County.

The declaration Friday night comes after Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst expressed frustration with the lack of response from the federal government.

Nearly 1,400 homes have been destroyed in Bastrop County since wildfires started there about a week ago, Dewhurst said.

"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," the White House said in a statement.

Texas officials were working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get disaster declarations for specific counties, including Bastrop.

"Utility poles are still burning, stumps are still burning, wire is hanging through the air with only half a pole, swinging. Lines are on the ground," said Mark Rose, general manager of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

But the main priority is making sure no one else dies from the fire,Mark rose added.

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