Trump promises more FEMA aid for Hill Country flood victims, says details coming Monday

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will make more federal disaster money available to the Texas Hill Country for this summer’s floods. The announcement comes less than two weeks after FEMA turned down the state’s request for aid to individual flood victims, including in Kerr County.

Trump made the announcement at a campaign rally at the Port of Corpus Christi, shortly after Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton spoke. Trump said he was acting at the request of Paxton and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, and that he would make available “more FEMA relief funds from this year’s floods in Texas Hill Country.”

He did not say how much money would be released, which programs it would come through or which counties would qualify.

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

Monday is Nov. 2, the day before Election Day. Trump then urged Texans to get out and vote.

Paxton, the state’s attorney general, faces Democrat James Talarico in a close race for the Senate seat.

What’s been approved, and what hasn’t

Trump approved a major disaster declaration on Sept. 1 for the storms and flooding that began July 12. The declaration covers 19 counties, including Kerr, but only for public assistance. That program reimburses local governments for debris removal, emergency response and repairs to public infrastructure.

It did not include individual assistance, the program that helps homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, repairs and lost property. Last week, FEMA notified the state that it had denied that request. The agency said the impact on individuals and households was not severe enough to warrant it. FEMA also denied the state’s request for hazard mitigation money.

In announcing the denial, FEMA said it weighs factors including insurance coverage, disaster-related unemployment and the state’s financial capacity. The agency said it is focused on letting states take the lead in their own recovery.

The state has 30 days from the denial to appeal. Gov. Greg Abbott’s office has said it is reviewing the appeal process.

Days after the denial, FEMA approved nearly $644,000 for Kerr County to cover emergency protective measures. That award did not change the decision on individual assistance.

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 had confirmed 384 homes destroyed or with major damage, and nine of the county’s 11 bridges damaged.

The city of Kerrville said after the denial that it was disappointed and hoped an appeal would lead FEMA to reconsider.