FEMA Denies Aid to West, Texas For Rebuild After Fertilizer Plant Explosion

A Texas town devastated by a fertilizer plant explosion will rebuild, but not with money from the federal government.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has said that the April 17^th, 2013 explosion in West, Texas, was not severe enough to get a major disaster declaration.

According to the Associated Press, West Mayor Tommy Muska says the town suffered $57 million in damage, $40 million of which would go to rebuild a destroyed school.

Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a release Wednesday afternoon responding to FEMA’s denial, saying “The day of the West memorial service, President Obama stood in front of a grieving community and told them they would not be forgotten. He said that his administration would stand with them, ready to help.”

“We anticipate the President will hold true to his word and help us work with FEMA to ensure much-needed assistance reaches the community of West,” Perry concluded.

Texas U.S. Senator John Cornyn also weighed in, saying “I know there’s a lot of reasons to be skeptical of this administration on so many different fronts, but I’m going to withhold judgment at this point and try to find out factually what FEMA’s basis for refusing the aid might be. If it is people playing politics with something this sensitive and important, then you’ll be hearing from me very loudly and consistently.”

Fifteen people died in the explosion.