Governor Greg Abbott has formally requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Donald Trump in light of the severe flooding that recently impacted South Texas. The request, made in a letter from the Governor, seeks Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance programs for the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy.

Governor Abbott emphasized, "Due to severe flooding and extreme weather in South Texas that caused devastating damage across the region, I requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration." He explained that this declaration is critical for providing the financial assistance necessary for affected communities to rebuild. He further encouraged Texans to report damages through the iSTAT damage survey, which will help state officials assess if additional counties qualify for federal assistance.

The request comes following an assessment of the damage due to excessive rainfall and flooding. If approved, the Disaster Declaration would allow Texans with damage from the flooding to apply for financial aid to cover temporary housing, emergency repairs, and other disaster-related expenses. It would also open access to additional FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration programs for affected areas.

Governor Abbott remains proactive in deploying available resources to support local communities against the flooding impacts. His actions include working with partners for joint damage assessments, declaring a state disaster in affected areas, and activating emergency response resources ahead of storm impacts.