Texas Judge Declares Disaster After Rain

The leader of a West Texas county recovering from heavy rain and mudslides has declared a disaster to help clear the way for possible federal assistance.

El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar on Monday announced the local disaster declaration over storms that hit nearly two weeks ago.

Officials estimated El Paso County suffered about $4 million in damage to public property, mainly in the Socorro and San Elizario areas. Escobar says the next step will be for Gov. Rick Perry’s office to conduct its own assessment and evaluation of the damage.

The National Weather Service has said the El Paso area received more than 3 inches of rain over four days in storms that began Sept. 11.