Trump orders FEMA to release more flood aid to Texas

President Donald Trump pledged on Tuesday to provide additional federal aid to Texas flood victims after the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state’s initial request for individual assistance. The flooding, which occurred in July 2026, swept through portions of southwest Texas and the Hill Country. Many of these areas were still rebuilding from a deadly flash flood in 2025.

Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, formally appealed FEMA’s denial on Tuesday. This action took place the same day Trump promised to open up more recovery funds at a Republican campaign rally in Corpus Christi. The president stated he made the decision at the request of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, who is running for the other U.S. Senate seat in Texas, appeared on stage with Trump during the event.

“We’ll work that out on Monday,” Trump said in his remarks. FEMA had previously approved assistance for some counties to cover infrastructure repair costs. However, individuals were left to rely on limited nonprofit funds and their own savings to recover. FEMA later denied the individual assistance, which typically covers temporary hotel stays, emergency home repairs, and replacement of lost items.

Kidd asked FEMA to reconsider its denial for 20 of the 30 counties where individuals needed aid. The appeal specifically included Kerr and Uvalde counties. He also appealed the agency’s denial of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds. These grants help communities prepare for future disasters with work that saves future costs and lives.

According to the state’s count in the appeal, this year’s floods damaged 2,944 residences and small businesses. Of those, 132 were destroyed and 618 suffered major damage. At least three people were confirmed dead from the flooding. The losses occurred amid widespread rescue and evacuation operations, Kidd wrote. The damage was concentrated in communities already struggling with poverty and other hardships.

Residents faced significant costs to repair or replace homes and pay for temporary housing while juggling everyday living expenses. Kidd noted that covering these costs can cause a significant delay for residents with limited insurance coverage and financial means. Hundreds of people asked the American Red Cross for financial assistance in the aftermath of the event.

Dondi Voigt Persyn, whose organization helped people find lost items in the Hill Country after the 2025 flood, criticized the initial denial. “Families are still trying to put their lives back together, and denying them federal disaster assistance only adds to their suffering,” she said in a written statement sent by the advocacy group Extreme Weather Survivors. She added, “We cannot keep asking survivors to carry this burden alone.”

FEMA’s decision drew political pushback from both sides of the aisle. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat from San Antonio, wrote to Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday. “The denial of aid is unacceptable, and Texas should not accept it without a fight,” Gutierrez wrote. He added, “These Texans have already suffered more than anyone should have to endure.”

Cruz and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Austin, wrote to Trump on Tuesday. “FEMA’s assessment does not accurately reflect the critical resources needed to help communities across our state recover,” they wrote, urging him to approve the appeal. Cruz said in a later statement that he spoke with Trump while the president was on Air Force One. Under the current administration, FEMA has been trying to shift the primary responsibility for emergency response from the federal government to the states.