Gov. Perry: Border Sheriffs are our first line of defense

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday met with border sheriffs to discuss border security issues facing their communities.

“The linchpin of our border security strategy is represented here today by these sheriffs, who bravely stand between Texas citizens and the drug cartels, transnational gangs and special interest aliens that continually probe and test our border.” Perry said. “With all the resources we can put at their disposal, these law enforcement personnel constitute our first line of defense against the growing drug-related violence that is tearing apart northern Mexico.”

Since 2009, Perry has repeatedly urged the federal government, through conversations with and letters to President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, to approve his request for 1,000 Title 32 National Guardsmen to support civilian law enforcement efforts to enhance border security in Texas. On Monday, Perry reiterated that request in a four-page letter he presented to Obama as he arrived for an appearance in Austin.

In the absence of adequate federal resources, Texas has proactively addressed border security with state funding, resources and personnel to protect our citizens. Texas has committed more than $230 million over the last several years to amplify border security efforts and to shut down transnational gangs that work for Mexican drug cartels.

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Falcon, Amistad Dam Releases to Decrease; Diversion to End

FALCON HEIGHTS — The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, said it was continuing to make gradual reductions in the release of floodwaters from Falcon Dam, located at Falcon Heights, Texas-Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas.

Releases declined over the weekend to 18,000 cubic feet per second and will continue to be reduced to 8,500 cubic feet per second by Tuesday morning.

“With this reduction, the diversion of floodwaters into the U.S. interior floodway at Anzalduas Dam in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is likely to end later this week,” IBWC officials said.

IBWC has been making diversions into the U.S. floodway system, which includes the Banker Floodway, Main Floodway, North Floodway, and Arroyo Colorado in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties since July 8.

The commission also said it continues to monitor inflows and reservoir elevation at Falcon Dam and additional reductions in releases are possible during the week.

The reservoir is still experiencing above-average inflow but storage has dropped to just below normal conservation capacity.

IBWC has also agreed to reduce the release of floodwaters from Amistad Dam, located at Del Rio, Texas-Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, from 8,500 cubic feet per second to 6,400 cubic feet per second by Tuesday morning.

Amistad Reservoir remains slightly above normal conservation capacity, officials said.

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FEMA can take you applicaitonin any language

LAREDO, Texas - A language barrier should not keep Texans from applying for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). No matter what language a survivor speaks, FEMA has someone to help them apply. Specialists can take an application for assistance in more than 183 languages and dialects.

When Texans call 1-800 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing and speech impairments, they are presented with three automated choices: English, Spanish or "other callers." The third option is set up for those who do not speak English or Spanish or who have rotary dial phones.

"Every Texan should know that there is someone they can speak with who can help answer their questions and provide them with the information they need," said State Coordinating Officer Ben Patterson.

FEMA representatives, who speak several more languages that may be found in some affected Texas counties, are standing by. Additionally, if callers still cannot find a person who speaks their language, they are transferred to the Language Services coordination team, which quickly finds an interpreter.

"We appreciate the language differences, as well as the cultural diversity, of all Hurricane Alex survivors," said Federal Coordinating Officer Brad Harris. "It is very important that we have a way to communicate with each and every one of them."