Judge McKinney discusses winter storm disaster response

Hannigan's Notebook

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Judge McKinney discusses winter storm disaster response

Feb 26, 2021

This interview was recorded at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney signed a disaster declaration Sunday, Feb. 14, before things got really crazy following this month's historic winter storm. What was his thinking regarding the early declaration? What challenges did the County face in responding to the disaster and what did officials learn?

McKinney discussed the winter storm response this week. Here are some of the topics we covered:

-- Opening the Emergency Operations Center (:45): The first thing the County did in response to the winter storm was to stand up the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The winter storm was such a different disaster that the EOC had to be housed in a different location.

-- Disaster Declaration (2:50): McKinney signed the disaster declaration on Sunday, Feb. 14. The Judge discusses exactly what a disaster declaration means and how it helps.

-- Warming Shelters (5:12): The EOC opened three Warming Shelters in the county. It took a lot of people to make this happen and McKinney describes some of what was involved with that process.

-- Clearing Roads (9:05): TxDOT did ask the County for help with clearing the roads and County Commissioners went out and worked on State Highways 31 and 175. However, as the Judge points out, nobody in Texas has the equipment or supplies needed to respond to what was an historic winter event.

-- Statewide Disaster (17:15): Last week's winter storm was an unprecedented event. Even when the state has received a significant amount of snow in the past, it is followed by warm weather. The extended below freezing weather causes problems throughout the state, which slowed down the disaster response.

-- Positive People (22:12): Both the Judge and I saw so many people step up during this disaster.

-- What Did We Learn (24:02): I asked the Judge what the County learned throughout the winter storm.

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