FEMA OKs aid for Texas plant blast - CNN

FEMA announces extra aid for Texas town decimated by blast

By CNN Staff

Updated 0215 GMT (1015 HKT) August 3, 2013

Forensic mappers work the crater at the site of a fire and explosion in West, Texas, on April 24, 2013. The West Fertilizer Co. plant in the small Texas town exploded days earlier on April 17, killing 15 people.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Forensic mappers work the crater at the site of a fire and explosion in West, Texas, on April 24, 2013. The West Fertilizer Co. plant in the small Texas town exploded days earlier on April 17, killing 15 people.
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Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives search the bank of rail tracks for evidence at the site of the explosion.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives search the bank of rail tracks for evidence at the site of the explosion.
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Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building, in foreground, and a nursing home on April 18, 2013.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building, in foreground, and a nursing home on April 18, 2013.
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The remains of an apartment complex lie on cars.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – The remains of an apartment complex lie on cars.
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A deer head mount sits inside a car parked next to an apartment complex damaged in the explosion.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A deer head mount sits inside a car parked next to an apartment complex damaged in the explosion.
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A Valley Mills Fire Department firefighter walks through the remains of an apartment complex next to the fertilizer plant.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A Valley Mills Fire Department firefighter walks through the remains of an apartment complex next to the fertilizer plant.
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Smoke rises from the rubble of a house next to the fertilizer plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Smoke rises from the rubble of a house next to the fertilizer plant.
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A railroad boxcar lies on its side near the plant.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A railroad boxcar lies on its side near the plant.
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A Texas State Trooper stops people from entering a neighborhood near the plant.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A Texas State Trooper stops people from entering a neighborhood near the plant.
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A chimney is the only part of a home left standing after the explosion.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A chimney is the only part of a home left standing after the explosion.
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Brandon Smith removes broken glass from the West Thrift Shop.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Brandon Smith removes broken glass from the West Thrift Shop.
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Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building.
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The West Fertilizer Co. lies in ruins.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – The West Fertilizer Co. lies in ruins.
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A sheriff's deputy comforts a woman at a command post.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A sheriff's deputy comforts a woman at a command post.
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Remains of the fertilizer plant burn in the early morning after the explosion.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Remains of the fertilizer plant burn in the early morning after the explosion.
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Water is sprayed on the remains of the plant.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Water is sprayed on the remains of the plant.
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With smoke rising in the distance, a law enforcement officer runs a checkpoint at the perimeter about half a mile from the plant.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – With smoke rising in the distance, a law enforcement officer runs a checkpoint at the perimeter about half a mile from the plant.
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Waco Police spokesman William Swanton speaks to reporters about the explosion.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Waco Police spokesman William Swanton speaks to reporters about the explosion.
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Glass from blown-out windows lies shattered on the sidewalk and street after the blast.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Glass from blown-out windows lies shattered on the sidewalk and street after the blast.
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Shattered glass covers items in front of a thrift store.
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Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Shattered glass covers items in front of a thrift store.
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Story highlights

  • April 17 blast in Texas town killed 15 people
  • Rick Perry lauds the state appeal for a disaster declaration
  • FEMA denied a request in June for a "major disaster" area
The Obama administration has issued a disaster declaration for the Texas town hit by fertilizer plant blasts in April.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday aid for the area affected by the tragedy in the town of West.
Federal funding will supplement state and local recovery efforts "for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the explosion in McLennan County," FEMA said.
The April 17 fire led to simultaneous blasts at a fertilizer distribution facility, killing 15 and decimating homes, businesses and more within 37 blocks.
This decision came after FEMA in June told Gov. Rick Perry it was denying a request to declare the small town a "major disaster" area, a move sharply criticized by local and state officials.
The letter from FEMA spokesman Craig Fugate noted Obama had previously issued an emergency declaration and other measures that paved the way for some direct federal assistance.
U.S. President Barack Obama attends a memorial service at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on April 25. The memorial was held for those killed in the blast at a Texas fertilizer plant. Fourteen people, nearly all first responders, died in an explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. on April 17. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/gallery/texas-explosion/index.html">See photos from the explosion.</a>
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
U.S. President Barack Obama attends a memorial service at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on April 25. The memorial was held for those killed in the blast at a Texas fertilizer plant. Fourteen people, nearly all first responders, died in an explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. on April 17. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/gallery/texas-explosion/index.html">See photos from the explosion.</a>
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – U.S. President Barack Obama attends a memorial service at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on April 25. The memorial was held for those killed in the blast at a Texas fertilizer plant. Fourteen people, nearly all first responders, died in an explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. on April 17. See photos from the explosion.
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Photos of the fallen firefighters stand next to their coffins at the memorial on April 25.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Photos of the fallen firefighters stand next to their coffins at the memorial on April 25.
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Mourners at the memorial on April 25.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Mourners at the memorial on April 25.
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Coffins containing the remains of victims from the fertilizer plant explosion in the town of West, Texas, at a memorial on April 25.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Coffins containing the remains of victims from the fertilizer plant explosion in the town of West, Texas, at a memorial on April 25.
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A firefighters honor guard stands before the coffins of fallen comrades on April 25.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A firefighters honor guard stands before the coffins of fallen comrades on April 25.
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Firefighters salute as fire trucks and emergency vehicles pass under a flag before the memorial service on April 25.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Firefighters salute as fire trucks and emergency vehicles pass under a flag before the memorial service on April 25.
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Firefighters lead the funeral procession for Capt. Kenneth "Luckey" Harris Jr. on Thursday, April 24, in West, Texas.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Firefighters lead the funeral procession for Capt. Kenneth "Luckey" Harris Jr. on Thursday, April 24, in West, Texas.
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Firefighters stand on the back of a firetruck that transported Harris' body to the Bold Springs Cemetery in West on April 24.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Firefighters stand on the back of a firetruck that transported Harris' body to the Bold Springs Cemetery in West on April 24.
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Family and friends stand in front of Harris' casket at the cemetery on April 24.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Family and friends stand in front of Harris' casket at the cemetery on April 24.
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A bugler plays taps at a memorial ceremony at the site of the explosion in West on April 24.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A bugler plays taps at a memorial ceremony at the site of the explosion in West on April 24.
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Pallbearers carry the casket of fallen firefighter Capt. Kenneth "Luckey" Harris Jr. after his funeral at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, Texas, on April 24.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Pallbearers carry the casket of fallen firefighter Capt. Kenneth "Luckey" Harris Jr. after his funeral at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, Texas, on April 24.
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A memorial is set up on Monday, April 22, outside a fire station for the firemen who perished in the explosion.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A memorial is set up on Monday, April 22, outside a fire station for the firemen who perished in the explosion.
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Flowers are tied on a firetruck on April 22 as a memorial for the firemen who died while responding to the explosion.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Flowers are tied on a firetruck on April 22 as a memorial for the firemen who died while responding to the explosion.
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Vanna Wainwright and her daughter Breanna take part in an open air Sunday service on April 21. Members of the First Baptist Church held their service in an open air field after their church was damaged from the explosion.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Vanna Wainwright and her daughter Breanna take part in an open air Sunday service on April 21. Members of the First Baptist Church held their service in an open air field after their church was damaged from the explosion.
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Local residents attend a commemoration ceremony on April 21 for those that perished during the fertilizer explosion.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Local residents attend a commemoration ceremony on April 21 for those that perished during the fertilizer explosion.
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Local residents attend a ceremony in West, Texas, on April 21.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Local residents attend a ceremony in West, Texas, on April 21.
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Residents embrace after a Sunday service at St. Mary's Catholic Church on April 21, four days after the deadly explosion.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Residents embrace after a Sunday service at St. Mary's Catholic Church on April 21, four days after the deadly explosion.
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Residents collect donations on Saturday, April 20.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Residents collect donations on Saturday, April 20.
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A candlelight vigil is held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in West, Texas, on Thursday, April 18.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A candlelight vigil is held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in West, Texas, on Thursday, April 18.
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Eric Garcia, 12, cries during a candlelight vigil in West, Texas, honoring the victims of the explosion on April 18. More than 200 people were injured and 50 homes destroyed in the small town.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Eric Garcia, 12, cries during a candlelight vigil in West, Texas, honoring the victims of the explosion on April 18. More than 200 people were injured and 50 homes destroyed in the small town.
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People gather for a candlelight vigil at a church in West on April 18.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns – People gather for a candlelight vigil at a church in West on April 18.
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Residents tend a prayer service at St. Mary's.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Residents tend a prayer service at St. Mary's.
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A girl closes her eyes during the vigil.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A girl closes her eyes during the vigil.
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A young mourner is comforted during the vigil on April 18.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A young mourner is comforted during the vigil on April 18.
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People pray during a candlelight vigil at St. Mary's Church on April 18.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – People pray during a candlelight vigil at St. Mary's Church on April 18.
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Residents embrace after taking part in the vigil.
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – Residents embrace after taking part in the vigil.
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A woman clasps her hands during the candlelight vigil on April 18.
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West, Texas: A community mourns – A woman clasps her hands during the candlelight vigil on April 18.
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A young man holds a candle during the vigil.<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/gallery/texas-explosion/index.html"> </a>
Photos: West, Texas: A community mourns
West, Texas: A community mourns – A young man holds a candle during the vigil.
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"Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the remaining costs for permanent work is within the capabilities of the state and affected local governments," Fugate said at the time. "Accordingly, we have determined that a major disaster declaration is not necessary."
After the Friday announcement, Perry, who slammed the FEMA move two months ago, lauded a successful state appeal of the initial federal move.
"The approval of the state's appeal for a major disaster declaration is great and welcome news for the people of West," Perry said. "I appreciate everyone who joined me in standing with the people whose lives have been forever impacted to move this appeal forward, especially our congressional delegation."
Perry said the federal action and the state legislature's disaster relief funding "will help this community rebuild their infrastructure, school district and public works as quickly as possible."
A fire at the facility operated by West Fertilizer Company set off two explosions that registered on seismographs as a magnitude-2.1 earthquake and were felt 50 miles away. The blasts leveled a portion of the town, damaging numerous homes, a nursing home and the town's high school and middle school.
According to local officials, the city is still well short of the $17 million it needs to repair roads, water and sewage lines and other damaged infrastructure.