Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has formally requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Donald Trump in response to recent severe flooding in South Texas, aiming to secure critical federal assistance for affected communities.
“Due to severe flooding and extreme weather in South Texas that caused devastating damage across the region, I requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration,” Abbott said in a statement. “This Presidential Disaster Declaration will provide the critical financial assistance impacted communities need to recover and rebuild.”
The request seeks FEMA Individual Assistance programs for residents in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. If approved, Texans in these areas could receive aid for emergency housing, home repairs, uninsured property losses, and other disaster-related costs such as medical or funeral expenses. Additionally, the request includes eligibility for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Program.
Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to continue reporting damage through the state’s iSTAT damage survey.
“Texans are urged to continue to self-report damages to their homes and businesses… to help state officials determine if additional counties meet the federal assistance requirements,” he said.
The Governor’s action follows joint preliminary damage assessments conducted with local, state, and federal partners, as well as the issuance of a state disaster declaration for the impacted communities.
“I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for working with our local and federal partners to help Texans recover from these devastating storms,” Abbott added.
State emergency resources were also activated ahead of the storm to assist local response efforts. If the federal declaration is granted, it would mark a step toward providing relief and long-term recovery support for the flood-stricken region.
