Trump promises more FEMA aid for flood survivors

President Donald Trump says more federal disaster assistance is coming for the Texas Hill Country, offering new hope to flood survivors who have spent months waiting for help rebuilding their homes and communities.  The announcement comes weeks after FEMA denied requests for additional disaster assistance following devastating flooding in July 2026.

At a rally in Corpus Christi on Tuesday, Trump announced the decision, crediting requests from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.  “At the request of Ken Paxton and Senator Ted Cruz, I’m pleased to announce that I will be making available more FEMA relief funds from this year’s floods in Texas Hill Country,” Trump said.  “So, we’ll work that out on Monday.”

The president did not specify how much additional funding would be provided, which programs would receive the money or when flood victims could begin applying for assistance.

New documents show the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is formally appealing two separate FEMA denials, arguing that thousands of damaged homes and ongoing recovery needs justify additional federal support.  In letters dated Oct. 27, TDEM Chief Nim Kidd requested that FEMA reconsider its decision to deny Individual Assistance for 20 counties, including Kerr, Uvalde, Kendall and Zavala.

The state is also appealing FEMA’s denial of funding through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, requesting assistance for 24 counties previously approved for Public Assistance.  Unlike Individual Assistance, which helps households recover from damage already sustained, hazard mitigation funding supports projects designed to reduce the impact of future disasters.  Those projects could include improved flood warning systems, flood risk reduction efforts and infrastructure.

The two appeals are separate from FEMA’s earlier denial of additional Public Assistance for eight Texas counties.  Public Assistance primarily helps governments and certain nonprofit organizations cover eligible disaster-related costs, including infrastructure repairs.  Texas argues that both household recovery assistance and investments to prevent future flooding are necessary for communities still recovering from repeated disasters.

In its hazard mitigation appeal, TDEM argues that repeated flooding across the Hill Country and surrounding areas demonstrates the need for investments that could prevent future deaths and destruction.  The agency says Texas has already committed more than $280 million toward disaster relief, preparedness and mitigation efforts following the deadly July 2025 floods, including $50 million specifically for flood warning systems and gauges.

The July 2026 flooding struck many of the same Hill Country communities devastated by the deadly July Fourth floods in 2025.  In Kerr County, 135 households representing 299 people were still in temporary housing disaster before the 2026 flooding occurred.  Another 98 households were still working toward permanent housing solutions.

The president says more information will be coming next week on the FEMA aid.  Texas has formally requested reconsideration of both Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding.