Updated Nov. 25 at 10:38 a.m.


The Office of Governor Greg Abbott announced on Nov. 25 that President Barack Obama has approved the request for a federal disaster declaration in 15 Texas counties, including Hays County, related to storms and flooding Oct. 30-31.

The declaration will allow FEMA to begin offering grants to those affected by floods. Those who meet certain FEMA guidelines will be eligible for up to $33,000 in grants to help recover from the Oct. 30-31 floods in Hays County.

“I want to thank the president and [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] for their swift response to Texas’ request for a federal disaster declaration,” Abbott said. “Texas looks forward to working with its FEMA partners to ensure those in need receive the assistance necessary to start rebuilding their lives.”

Low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration will also be made available because of the disaster declaration.

Posted Nov. 23 at 6:59 p.m.


Gov. Gregg Abbott declared a state of emergency in 15 counties on Nov. 20. The declaration has been sent to President Barack Obama who will consider whether to make federal aid available to individuals affected by the storms.

“The flooding that occurred this past October throughout the state forever changed many Texans’ lives,” Abbott said in a news release. “Declaring a disaster in the Lone Star State may allow affected citizens across the state to gain access to the resources they need in order to start rebuilding their lives. I have no doubt that the victims of this flooding will build an even stronger future for themselves, their families and the state of Texas.”

According to the news release, if the president grants Abbott’s request for assistance, individuals affected by the floods Oct. 30-31 in Hays County may be eligible for FEMA grants up to $33,000.

Kharley Smith, Hays County emergency management coordinator, said the All Saints weekend flood Oct. 30-31 caused more damage than the Memorial Day weekend floods May 24-25.

“That’s what’s definitely frustrating,” Smith said. “You have [the All Saints weekend flood] piggybacked on Memorial Day, where we’re obviously still trying to recover. Now to be in the midst of another disaster we’re having to really try to work hard to get the assistance that I think should be a no-brainer.”

The Memorial Day weekend flood, which destroyed 321 homes, according to Hays County numbers, was a unique event, Smith said. Because of flooding in other areas throughout the state Abbott declared a disaster declaration weeks ahead of the May 24-25 events that affected Hays County. By the time Hays County was hit by flooding, damage assessments were already being performed throughout the state, which allowed the federal disaster declaration to come relatively quickly.

Smith said it usually takes a couple of months before a federal declaration is made, and the county is on a good timline.

Smith said although the state has met the threshold for the amount of damage required before federal aid can be made available, that is no guarantee that aid will ultimately come through. She described the process of determining what, if any, aid to make available as “subjective” on the part of the federal government.

“We have met the threshold of the number of households that are affected, and we can’t possibly take care of them with just nonprofit organizations alone,” she said. “We need some additional help. We’ll see what the President’s office comes back with.”

The request from Abbott's office does not include public assistance for infrastructure such as roads or bridges that may have been damaged by the flood.

In addition to Hays County, the disaster declaration includes Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy, and Wilson counties.