The US President's approval allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide more resources and assistance, including grants for temporary housing and repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help communities recover. The White House has been proactive in responding to the crisis, with the President having already approved an emergency declaration for the state last weekend and continuing to monitor the situation and work with local authorities there.

Texas has suffered a devastating week of below freezing temperatures and winter storms, with conditions worsened by widespread power outages across the state impacting millions of homes and businesses. Many residents now have power, but still have to deal with undrinkable water, broken pipes, and offline treatment plants.

The US President said he had spoken with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, twice this week including Thursday night. Biden also spoke with acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton Friday afternoon, instructing him to "to mobilize other federal agencies to bring additional support to the people of Texas and ensure that any critical needs are met," according to a statement from the White House.

Abbott on Saturday thanked the President for what he called a "partially" approved request. The governor had requested both individual and public assistance for all 254 counties, and the Biden administration approved individual assistance in 77 counties and public assistance in all counties, according to a statement from Abbott's office.

FEMA had provided Texas with "60 generators and fuel available to support critical sites like hospitals and water facilities, 729,000 liters of water, more than 10,000 wool blankets, 50,000 cotton blankets, and 225,000 meals."

BEYOND TEXAS, MR. BIDEN ALSO APPROVED EMERGENCY STATUS AT OKLAHOMA AND LOUISIANA.

At least 69 people died during blizzards and unusually cold weather in the southern United States over the past few days.