(CNN) President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Texas, unlocking more federal resources to assist the state struggling to recover from deadly winter storms. "Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Texas and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms beginning on February 11, 2021, and continuing," the White House said in a statement Saturday. The White House has been proactive in responding to the crisis, with the President having already approved an emergency declaration for the state last weekend and continuing to monitor the situation and work with local authorities there. Biden told reporters Friday that he plans to travel to the state of Texas, when his presidential visit would no longer be a "burden" on the state's resources. "If, in fact, it's concluded that I can do it without creating a burden for the folks on the ground while they are dealing with this crisis, I plan on going," the President said.

Source: CNN February 20, 2021 16:51 UTC