Special to The Leader

The Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA) is providing disaster recovery assistance grant funds to seven small local water districts and municipalities that were damaged by Tropical Storm Harvey. Today, SRA presented a $10,000 check each to five of those entities which include the City of Pinehurst, Orange County WCID #2, Mauriceville MUD, Orange County WCID #1 and Orangefield WSC as part of this assistance program.

Earlier this week, SRA presented a $10,000 check each to South Newton Water Supply and the City of Rose City for assistance. Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall in Southeast Texas on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. Impacts from the storm included power loss, wind damage, and historical flooding from more than 50″ of rainfall that fell over a few days. Many communities were left devastated.

Disaster relief assistance funds are part of SRA’s community assistance program approved by the SRA Board of Directors to help promote the quality and quantity of services essential for the development of a viable community. In the aftermath of the storm, SRA wanted to reach out to provide assistance for some of the small water districts and municipalities that qualify for our program and were damaged by Harvey. In an initial assessment, SRA identified seven entities that needed immediate assistance. Additional entities that qualify for the Community Assistance Grant program will be identified and reviewed for consideration in the near future.

“The damage caused by Harvey will go down in history for many communities in East Texas,” stated SRA General Manager David Montagne. “Ongoing recovery efforts demonstrate Southeast Texas’ ability to come together in a time of crisis.”

“SRA applauds the efforts of the local communities to rebuild and restore the necessary services they provide to their customers,” added Montagne.

Created by the Legislature in 1949, the Sabine River Authority is an official agency of the State of Texas. The Authority was created as a conservation and reclamation district with responsibilities to control, store, preserve, and distribute the waters of the Sabine River and its tributary streams for useful purposes.