WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Williamson County Commissioners Court extended the County's disaster declaration for 30 days, expiring on March 9.
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell issued the disaster declaration on Tuesday, Jan. 31, as the area first began experiencing icing due to freezing rain.
The disaster declaration activates the recovery and rehabilitation aspects of the Williamson County Emergency Management Plan and allows the County to take all legal actions necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of county residents, Williamson County said in a release.
In order to receive a federal disaster declaration, the state must demonstrate that its uninsured damage meets or exceeds $51,587,544 and Williamson County’s damage must meet or exceed $2,704,035.48, the County noted. A federal disaster declaration could allow for people with property damage to receive some financial assistance, such as low-interest loans, for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to report their property damage to the state at https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court also announced the Williamson County Landfill, located at 600 Landfill Road in Hutto, is accepting clean brush for a reduced fee. Waste Management is offering a reduced fee of $10 plus tax per pickup truckload of limbs and clean brush through Feb. 19.
The Commissioners Court approved waiving its 6.5% fee for these pickup truckloads. This payment scale is for non-commercial vehicles and excludes trailers. The normal charge for clean brush/wood is $8.64 per cubic yard. Trash and debris is $46.90 per ton.
“We have seen in the past how an ice storm can linger and cause disruption and damage to people’s lives, so we want to be sure that we have all the resources necessary to assist if needed,” Gravell said on Jan. 31.
The County said residents in the unincorporated area may burn brush if it is not against their deed restrictions and if they have checked with their Emergency Service District (ESD) to see if a permit is required. A list of ESD phone numbers is available here. Residents are asked to report controlled burns to Williamson County Communications at 512-864-8282.
Williamson County Communications should be able to inform callers of any burning restrictions that may exist.
To view the initial declaration, visit the Williamson County website.