Your June 1 Pre-Trip: Texas begins tallying storm damage

June 1, 2015

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. So far, Texas is tallying at least $27 million worth of infrastructure damage caused by recent severe storms. And that number is expected to climb, International Business Times reports. According to the report, roadways in 167 of the state’s 254 counties suffered from storm damage. “At least 24 people have died in Texas this week after what the National Weather Service forecasters estimate is a 150- to 200-year flood event,” the Times said. “Seven others died in Oklahoma, and 13 people were killed in a Mexico-Texas border town.”2. Truck drivers are volunteering to help out Texas locals continuing to struggle after the impacts of severe storms and flooding, Go By Truck reports. Among those helping are truck drivers Russ HessenFlow of St. Joseph, Mo., and Steve Brand of Phoenix, Ariz., who have hauled supplies into flooded areas and are participating in other relief efforts. HessenFlow urges others in the trucking community to do what they can to help, according to the report.3. On Friday, President Barack Obama signed into law a two-month extension of highway funding, The Hill reports. This measure, which extends infrastructure funding through July, is the 33rd temporary fix for road project funding since 2008, according to The Hill. 4. Iowa state officials are saying a 10-cent gas tax increase has produced more than $18 million in extra road funds for April, CBS 2 Iowa said. According to the report, the new gas tax went into effect March 1 and is expected to bring in more than $200 million annually in extra road funding.5. Utah’s Department of Transportation sponsored a summit for young girls thinking of a career in transportation, Fox 13 in Salt Lake City said. During the program, about 53 middle school students learned about repairing tires and fixing bikes, and they studied how roads and bridges are built, according to the report.

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.