Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to request additional counties be included in President Donald J. Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration following severe flooding in Texas. The request seeks Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance programs for Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties. Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba counties are also being considered for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.
“The State of Texas continues to stand with those impacted by the devastating flooding across the state,” stated Governor Abbott. “Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to request additional counties be added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration as they work to heal and recover. I thank President Trump and his Administration for their swift and continued support. Texas will continue to deploy all available resources and support to help those impacted until the job is done.”
Damage assessments indicate that these counties exceed federal criteria for disaster assistance eligibility. Texans can apply for FEMA disaster assistance through disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. More counties might be added as further damage assessments are conducted.
A previous review showed Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba exceeded criteria for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. This program aids emergency work and repairs or replacements of damaged facilities.
President Trump recently approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County after last week’s flooding. This approval allows affected residents in Kerr County to seek grant funding for repair and recovery costs.
The declaration also enables the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program for physical and economic losses in approved counties.
Governor Abbott’s response includes directing flood response efforts, announcing disaster unemployment assistance, surveying flood damage, updating Texans on response measures, obtaining federal disaster assistance approval from President Trump, amending state declarations to include more affected areas, increasing readiness levels at the State Operations Center, activating additional emergency resources in West and Central Texas due to anticipated heavy rainfall and flash floods.
