President Trump approves federal disaster aid after Texas flooding displaces families and destroys homes

Austin, Texas – In response to the deadly and destructive flooding that swept through parts of Texas in recent days, Governor Greg Abbott announced that President Donald J. Trump has approved a Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking critical federal assistance for impacted communities. The declaration follows the Governor’s formal request and will bring direct support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the hardest-hit regions, beginning with Kerr County.

“President Trump stands strong with Texas in our time of need, and I thank him for swiftly approving Texas’ disaster declaration request,” Governor Abbott stated. “This federal support will ensure local officials, emergency management personnel, and first responders have the critical resources they need to help Texans rebuild and recover from these devastating floods. Our hearts continue to grieve for our fellow Texans who have endured unspeakable loss. We continue to work around the clock with our federal and local partners to search for those still missing and to help impacted Texans move forward.”

FEMA Programs Activated for Relief and Recovery

As part of the newly approved federal support, qualified Texans in Kerr County will now be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. This program is designed to provide relief for individuals and families struggling in the wake of natural disasters and covers expenses like temporary housing, emergency home repairs, and the replacement of damaged or uninsured property. It also includes assistance for medical, dental, legal, and funeral costs associated with the disaster. Texans can apply for help by visiting disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

In addition to personal aid, FEMA has greenlit its Public Assistance program for Kerr County, which will help cover costs for emergency work and infrastructure repairs. This includes rebuilding damaged public facilities and vital infrastructure. A separate request to authorize the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide is still under review.

State and Federal Coordination Underway to Evaluate Damage

To help determine eligibility for additional federal assistance, Governor Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to work alongside FEMA officials and local partners to begin joint preliminary damage assessments in Kerr County. These assessments will be vital in identifying further needs for both public and private aid.

TDEM also continues to collect data through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. Impacted Texans are encouraged to report damages to their homes and businesses by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov once it is safe to do so. This information is critical in helping state and federal agencies map out affected areas and deliver targeted resources to those most in need.

Emergency Measures Intensify as State Responds to Flooding

Governor Abbott has remained actively engaged with Texas communities as they weather the aftermath of the flooding and face continued risks from ongoing severe weather. He recently amended the state’s disaster declaration to include additional counties that have suffered damage and outlined multiple actions taken by the state, including:

• Elevating the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response)

• Activating more state emergency resources ahead of the predicted heavy rainfall and flash flooding

• Deploying emergency teams to the areas expected to be most heavily impacted

• Providing continuous updates on emergency conditions and response efforts in Kerr County and nearby communities

The declaration signals a significant step toward recovery for many Texans who have endured traumatic loss and destruction. As joint state and federal relief efforts continue, residents are urged to remain alert, follow safety guidance, and take advantage of the resources now available to them.