KERRVILLE, Texas – Texas flood survivors are in Washington, D.C., advocating for essential federal disaster assistance needed to rebuild their lives and communities following severe flooding in Travis and Kerr counties. The devastation caused by the flooding has left many families and businesses struggling to recover.
A group of delegates from Texas and other affected states is urging federal leaders to grant two crucial forms of assistance: an Individual Assistance designation for the 2026 flood through FEMA and federal funding for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, commonly known as CDBG-DR.
The Individual Assistance program can provide financial relief for housing, unemployment support, case management, and legal services to those impacted by disasters. On the other hand, CDBG-DR is vital for long-term community recovery, yet survivors and advocates contend that the current funding levels are insufficient to help affected residents secure stable housing.
Among those advocating for change is Kerrville resident Claudia Limon, who traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers. Limon is committed to raising awareness about the plight of families still grappling with the aftermath of the July flood.
“I told her, this is dangerous,” Limon recounted, describing the dire living conditions of one family. “But she said, I don’t have nowhere to go. So I want the help that they need. That’s why I’m here, so I can advocate for all these families that they don’t have a home to go to.”
Ashlee Willis, another flood survivor from Travis County and a member of the Sandy Creek Alliance, emphasized that many individuals are still attempting to rebuild their lives without the necessary long-term support.
“We have a ton of people just hanging out there right now, trying to survive on a daily basis, rebuilding their lives,” Willis stated. “And there are systems in place to help that. And we’re here to get that system allocated.”
The delegation, consisting of approximately 30 representatives from various states, is also calling on U.S. Representative Chip Roy, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and other lawmakers to support immediate federal action.
In the heart of Kerrville, the economic impact of the floods has been staggering for local businesses. According to the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce, businesses received $2.3 million in community donations after the 2025 flood. However, following the 2026 flood, that figure plummeted to just $268,000, leading to several business closures as owners found it financially unfeasible to rebuild.
Grassroots organizers remain hopeful that the collective pressure from residents, advocates, and elected officials will lead to the unlocking of essential federal funding for disaster victims, both now and in the future. They are actively encouraging community members to reach out to their senators and advocate for robust disaster recovery assistance.
