In response to Hurricane Nicholas, Governor Greg Abbott signed an initial disaster declaration for 17 counties on September 13th and a follow up declaration adding two more on September 14th. The 19 counties currently under the disaster declaration are Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Wharton.
The Governor is also requesting that those affected by Hurricane Nicholas complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages to private homes and businesses and to assist emergency management officials assess the damages that occurred. This data will determine if the state meets federal thresholds for disaster assistance.
See the Governor’s September 13th declaration here and the September 14th addition here.
Qualified property in counties included in the declaration and physically impacted by the disaster may be eligible to receive a Tax Code Section 11.35 temporary exemption of a portion of the appraised value of the property. A property owner must apply for the temporary exemption (PDF form link) no later than 105 days after the governor declares a disaster area.
For more information on statutory relief for property owners, please see the Comptroller’s Property Taxes in Disaster Areas and During Droughts webpage.