Uvalde County added to Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration after Texas floods
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that Uvalde County has been added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking critical federal assistance for a community still recovering from devastating July flooding.
The expanded declaration makes Uvalde the 22nd Texas county eligible for FEMA Public Assistance, which supports emergency work and infrastructure repairs in areas hit by natural disasters. The addition comes after damage assessments revealed the county’s losses exceeded federal thresholds for disaster aid.
“Texas remains steadfast in our efforts to help communities rebuild and recover in the wake of catastrophic flooding last month,” Governor Abbott said in a statement. “The approval of my request to add Uvalde County to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration will ensure that every affected community has the resources and support they need to heal.”
Extensive Flooding Response
The declaration expansion represents the latest move in what has become a sweeping disaster response across the Lone Star State. Abbott has been actively coordinating with federal officials since early July, when severe flooding devastated communities during the Fourth of July weekend.
In the immediate aftermath, Abbott declared while touring flood-damaged areas, “I’M SIGNING A DISASTER DECLARATION. DEFINITELY ONE THAT INCLUDES THIS AREA BUT INCLUDES MORE THAN THIS.”
That initial urgency has evolved into a methodical response, with Abbott directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management to request Uvalde’s addition after completing thorough damage evaluations. “As damage assessments continue, I requested that Uvalde County be added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration,” the governor explained in his request. “With approval, Texas communities impacted by last month’s flooding will have access to the federal assistance program to receive resources and support they need to heal and rebuild.”
What does this mean for Uvalde residents? Beyond the Public Assistance program now available to local governments, ten Texas counties remain eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, which provides direct aid to qualifying residents whose homes and property were damaged.
Broader Recovery Efforts
The flooding crisis has prompted a multi-pronged response from state officials. Abbott’s administration has launched several initiatives to support affected communities, including reopening critical infrastructure like the Cow Creek Bridge and establishing an Emotional Support Line for traumatized residents.
Financial relief is also flowing. The state has made micro-business recovery loans available up to $5 million and granted over $1.9 million to hospitals impacted by the floods. Additionally, disaster unemployment assistance has been expanded for workers who lost jobs due to the flooding.
The federal disaster declaration now covers an extensive swath of Texas, including Bandera, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, and Tom Green counties, among others.
Yet challenges remain. While federal assistance provides crucial support, the long-term recovery process will likely stretch well beyond the immediate emergency phase, requiring sustained attention from both state and federal officials.
In his statement, Abbott acknowledged the ongoing nature of the recovery, thanking President Trump “for his ongoing support” while commending “our local, state, and federal officials who work tirelessly to provide Texas communities with critical disaster assistance.”
For Uvalde County—a community still healing from the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting tragedy—this latest federal assistance represents not just practical help, but recognition of yet another challenge this resilient Texas community must overcome.
