Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visits Fulton in honor of the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Harvey

Students from across Texas are helping homeowners dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and learning vital and handy skills themselves. Rachel Denny Clow, Corpus Christi Caller-Times

More than a hundred Fulton residents stood silent as they watched Texas Gov. Greg Abbott publicly sign two bills that could help Texans in the future affected by a natural disaster.

The bills, known officially as House Bill 6 and Senate Bill 6, will improve emergency management, response and recovery during a disaster as well as help communities receive the finances they need to rebuild.

Abbott along with Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick, U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud, Texas State Representative Todd Hunter and other city and state officials gathered at the former Fulton Convention Center to sign the bills Saturday.

The center, which was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, stood as a symbol for the Fulton community as they remembered the storm’s devastation two years later.

“I was stunned and shocked and hurt when I saw the magnitude of the damage left by Hurricane Harvey. (It) was ferocious, but you all showed what Texans are all about,” Abbott said. “There’s no storm that is more powerful than the resiliency that lies within the hearts of our fellow Texans. I am proud of the people of Fulton and Rockport and the way that you have rebuilt your community.”

Following the bill signing, Abbott participated in the city’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Fulton Fishing Pier, which was also destroyed by the hurricane.

The pier will mark the final recovery stage for the town of Fulton. Construction is set to start on Sept. 1 and will be completed in January 2020.

Kendrick said thanks to the state of Texas, insurance and the Federal Emergency Management Association, the city of Fulton has not had to borrow any money from the people to complete the last of the city’s rebuilding projects.

“Two years ago to the day, we are recovered. Is this not resilient?” Fulton Mayor Kendrick said. “After the pier’s completion in January, the town of Fulton would have been completed in less than two and a half years …This is a successful story. Fulton is our home and it is here to stay.”

Meagan Falcon covers entertainment, things to do and trending news in South Texas. Consider supporting local journalism with a digital subscription to the Caller-Times.

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