U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday approved a major disaster declaration for Texas, which has been hit by widespread power blackouts and water shortages during a deep freeze.

The declaration greenlights the deployment of federal resources to help the state.

"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 written statement on Saturday.

Though many people in Texas have had their power restored, the state is still reeling from the winter storm that cut power supply and left millions without food, safe drinking water or heat.

The White House noted that the federal "assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster."

As of Friday afternoon, 20 people had died in Houston due to severe weather conditions and sprawling blackouts.