HOUSTON – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday added 20 counties to a disaster declaration as Tropical Storm Harvey moved further inland, dumping large amounts of rain across southeast Texas.

Abbott had already declared a disaster in 30 counties before Harvey made landfall Friday night as a Category 4 hurricane near Rockport.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency granted Abbott a Presidential Disaster Declaration as Hurricane Harvey eyes the Texas coast on Friday.

The state is expected to see life-threatening and record-setting flooding from rain and storm surge in areas hardest hit by Harvey.

The declaration would provide assistance to affected counties.

"I want to thank the President and FEMA for their quick response in granting this disaster declaration. We will continue to work with our federal and local partners on all issues relating to this storm, and I encourage Texans to continue heeding all warnings from local officials."

[READ THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER]

File: Gov. Abbott Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration

More than 700 troops deployed to assist with Harvey threat

At the behest of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, more than 700 members of the Texas Army and Air National Guards, Texas State Guard and the Texas Military Department have been activated and are positioning themselves throughout the state ahead of Hurricane Harvey and its anticipated landfall later this week.

“This is what we train for,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Hamilton, commander of the Domestic Operations Task Force. “And we’re proud to stand beside our civilian partners, first responders and volunteers to serve the citizens of Texas.”

Additional personnel remain on standby to respond as needed.

“This is Texans helping Texans – neighbors helping neighbors,” Hamilton said. “While we don’t want to have to put our training to the test during a tragedy, our citizen-guardsmen remain prepared to help save lives and property, when called.”

They are positioned in Victoria and College Station with other locations expected as the storm track becomes clearer.

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