Federal Disaster Aid Activated for Texans Hit by July Floods and Storms
President Donald Trump has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas, unlocking federal aid for Kerr County residents and local governments in the wake of severe storms, straight-line winds, and widespread flooding that began on July 2.
This declaration follows damage assessments showing widespread loss across homes, infrastructure, and public facilities. According to FEMA, the assistance will provide grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses. State and local governments, along with qualifying nonprofit organizations, are also eligible for federal funding to repair or replace storm-damaged facilities under a cost-sharing model.
Benjamin Abbott has been appointed as the Federal Coordinating Officer to oversee recovery operations on the ground. FEMA officials noted that additional counties could be added to the disaster designation if damage assessments support it.
Residents impacted by the disaster are urged to file insurance claims first, then apply for federal assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA App. Individuals using relay services such as VRS or captioned telephone service should provide FEMA with their service number when applying.
This comes just days after record rains and rising rivers slammed communities throughout the region, straining resources and forcing evacuations. Kerr County was among the hardest hit.
