Rick Perry Appeals President Barack Obama’s Denial of Disaster Declaration for West, Texas

Texas Governor Rick Perry has appealed the federal government’s denial of a major disaster declaration for the town of West following a deadly fertilizer plant explosion.

Perry formally appealed President Barack Obama’s decision to deny a major disaster declaration that would have provided additional federal assistance to the people of West as the community continues to clean up from the April explosion.

“The scope of damage caused by April’s explosion has devastated this small community, and further inaction by the Obama Administration to deny additional federal aid is simply unacceptable,” said Perry.

Perry continued, saying “On behalf of the people of West and McLennan County, I am appealing the President’s decision in order to get this community assistance they qualify for, deserve, and need to get back on their feet and on the road to recovery.”

The state was notified in May by FEMA that the state’s previous requests had been denied despite meeting the thresholds to qualify for federal disaster assistance, according to Perry's office.

Perry’s letter to President Obama is available here.