The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently decided not to open funding for individuals affected by the devastating floods that struck Texas in July 2026. These floods particularly impacted the homes in Uvalde and caused significant property damage across Kerr County, with many residents facing the misfortune of experiencing flooding for a second time in just two years.
In response to FEMA’s decision, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are currently reviewing the situation and exploring the appeal process, as outlined in a recent statement from the governor’s office. This decision has raised concerns among disaster recovery experts, who emphasize that FEMA’s individual assistance funding is crucial for residents needing support to cover immediate costs related to housing repairs, temporary accommodations, and replacing lost belongings.
Allison Brim-Estelle, a field director with Rebuild, a national organization dedicated to supporting disaster survivors, noted, “FEMA individual assistance was the big thing people were counting on and looking towards to be able to help them rebuild in a significant way.” The absence of this funding significantly hampers recovery efforts for individuals and families affected by the floods.
FEMA, in its defense, stated that it remains committed to helping Texas recover and closely evaluates requests for aid. This evaluation considers various factors, including the extent of insurance coverage, the occurrence of other recent disasters, demographics of the impacted population, disaster-related unemployment, and the financial capacity of the state. “FEMA remains focused on empowering states to take the lead on their community response and recovery activities and is dedicated to providing support when federal assistance is warranted,” the agency stated.
Historically, the expectations placed on states to assume greater responsibility in disaster recovery have shifted under recent administrations. FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, during a conference with the National Emergency Management Association, emphasized that states “must have the appropriate financial reserves” to initiate recovery efforts following disasters. This change is reflected in the findings of a council convened by former President Donald Trump, which recommended that local and state governments should lead disaster response initiatives rather than overly relying on federal assistance.
In Texas, the situation is critical. According to Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, the state only allocates $37 million of its $1.9 billion budget for emergency response in 2027, which constitutes a mere 2 percent of the total budget. The remainder is covered by federal funding, raising concerns about the sustainability of recovery efforts in light of recent changes at the federal level.
Residents and community leaders in Kerr County are already feeling the repercussions of the lack of FEMA funding. Following the catastrophic floods in July 2025, which claimed over 100 lives and destroyed numerous homes, the community was still in the process of rebuilding when the 2026 floods struck. Although there was significant support from nonprofits and individuals after the 2025 disaster, the assistance has dwindled for the 2026 floods, leaving many in dire need of resources.
Governor Abbott announced in September, more than six weeks post-flood, that FEMA would assist certain local governments with recovery costs. However, the decision regarding individual assistance was still pending at that time. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has reported providing approximately $1.3 million in emergency financial aid to 947 households thus far, along with temporary housing assistance for 58 households.
“Families are continuing to recover without FEMA individual assistance, and philanthropy and local nonprofits are helping fill critical gaps,” stated Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that most communities raise only a fraction of the funds required for long-term recovery, which can be both costly and protracted.
Advocacy for state-level disaster relief funds is gaining momentum. Rebuild is actively pushing for Texas to establish a dedicated fund for disaster relief aimed at individuals. Brim-Estelle pointed out that the need for assistance “is absolutely still very real,” as many residents are struggling to piece together funds from various sources to repair their homes. Some families are forced to live with relatives or have left the area altogether due to the persistent challenges they face.
“The bottom line is that Governor Abbott owes Texas families and flood survivors an explanation and a plan here,” Brim-Estelle remarked. “Do you believe FEMA should provide individual assistance to survivors in Texas or is the state going to pick up the tab?”
In response, Governor Abbott’s spokesperson, Andrew Mahaleris, highlighted Abbott’s request from October 15 to suspend federal tax deadlines and waive late fees for individuals and businesses affected by the flood. Additionally, he mentioned the extension of the application window for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for those affected by the floods.
“Texas will deliver every necessary resource to communities impacted by the July storms and floods,” Mahaleris assured.
As Texas grapples with the aftermath of these devastating floods, the path to recovery remains uncertain. With many residents relying on local support and charitable organizations, the ongoing dialogue about federal versus state responsibilities in disaster recovery will be crucial in shaping future responses to such crises.
Disclosure: Austin Dickson has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune within the past five years. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in our journalism. Find a complete list of them and more information about our financial and disclosure policies here.
