GOVERNOR DECLARES ‘DISASTER’ IN 13 TEXAS COUNTIES

  

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 13 counties as heavy rain from Imelda continued to pound parts of the state.

The disaster declaration includes Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Orange and San Jacinto counties.

Abbott says “The State is working closely with local officials and emergency personnel to provide the resources needed to keep Texans safe from Tropical Storm Imelda.”

The storm claimed its first lives Thursday. A man in Jefferson County was "electrocuted and drowned" while trying to move livestock.  A second death was reported in Harris County as a man drowned after driving his van into floodwaters.