FEMA approves individual assistance for Kerr County flood survivors after state appeal

Kerr County homeowners and renters hit by the July 16 flood can now apply directly to FEMA for help, after the federal government reversed course and approved the state’s appeal for individual assistance.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the approval Friday afternoon. Kerr is one of 20 counties approved for the program, which can help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster unemployment, disaster legal services, and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.

The approval came three days after President Donald Trump told a campaign rally in Corpus Christi that he would make more FEMA relief funds available for the Hill Country floods, and four days before Election Day.

FEMA had denied the state’s request for individual assistance earlier this month, saying the impact on individuals and households wasn’t severe enough to warrant it.

Friday’s approval covers the storms and flooding that began July 12 of this year, including the July 16 flood in Kerr County. It is separate from the individual assistance FEMA approved after the July 4, 2025 flood.

How we got here
Trump approved a major disaster declaration Sept. 1 for 19 counties, including Kerr, but only for public assistance. That program reimburses local governments for debris removal, emergency work and repairs to public infrastructure. It does not pay individuals.

The state had asked for individual assistance for 30 counties. FEMA denied that request, along with the state’s request for hazard mitigation money. In announcing the denial, FEMA said it weighs factors including insurance coverage, disaster-related unemployment and a state’s financial capacity, and that it is focused on letting states take the lead in their own recovery.

Texas Division of Emergency Management chief Nim Kidd filed the state’s formal appeal Tuesday. The same day, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy wrote to Trump urging him to approve it.

Also that day, at the Corpus Christi rally, Trump said he was acting at the request of Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who faces Democrat James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race. Trump did not say which programs or counties would be included, or how much money was involved.

“We’ll work that out on Monday,” he said.

Friday’s announcement answered part of that. In a statement, Abbott thanked Trump and said the approval “brings essential financial assistance and services to eligible Texans in the 20 approved counties.”

The 20 counties approved for individual assistance are Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Crockett, Dimmit, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Real, Schleicher, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala.

That is 10 fewer than the state originally requested. It was not immediately clear whether the state’s appeal covered all 30 counties, or whether the counties left off the list can still seek help.

The state’s appeal for hazard mitigation money is still pending. That program pays for projects meant to reduce damage from future disasters.

Local reaction
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. told The Lead earlier this week, after Trump’s announcement, that the city was monitoring the situation. After FEMA’s denial, the city said it was disappointed and hoped an appeal would lead FEMA to reconsider.

Rebuild, a group organizing disaster survivors, said after Trump’s rally announcement that survivors had spent months pressing for aid, traveling to Washington and lobbying members of Congress. The group said it welcomed more help but wanted specifics, including how much money is coming, when it will arrive and whether families previously denied would finally get help.

“We know the difference between a campaign promise and a family getting the assistance they desperately need,” said Juliet Weldon, a Texas flood survivor and Rebuild member.

Friday’s approval settles whether individual assistance will be available. How much individual households receive will depend on their FEMA applications.

Flooded twice in two years
The July 16 flood hit Kerr County barely a year after the July 4, 2025 flood. By late July, county officials confirmed 384 homes were destroyed or severely damaged.

Without federal individual aid, local groups have carried much of the load. As of early September, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country had delivered emergency financial aid to 731 households, and 38 disaster case managers were serving about 1,400 households.

Separately, FEMA approved nearly $644,000 for Kerr County this month to cover emergency protective measures under the public assistance program.

The Lead will update this story as FEMA releases application deadlines and recovery center locations.

How to apply for FEMA assistance
Homeowners and renters in Kerr County with damage from the July storms and flooding can apply now.

Three ways to apply

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
By phone at 800-621-3362
Through the FEMA app on your phone
Have this ready

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or rental, and your current address and phone number
An email address
A description of the damage
Insurance information, if you have it
Household income
Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
Good to know

If you filled out the state’s iSTAT damage survey, that is not a FEMA application. You still need to apply.
Renters can apply, too. Assistance can cover temporary housing and lost personal property.
If you have insurance, file a claim first. FEMA can’t pay for losses insurance already covers, but it may help with what insurance doesn’t.
Keep photos of the damage and receipts for repairs and expenses.
FEMA has not announced a deadline. Application periods typically run 60 days from approval. The Lead will publish the deadline when it is set.
FEMA never charges a fee to apply. Be wary of anyone who asks for money or personal information to help you get aid.
Disaster case managers with the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country can help with applications and recovery planning.