Texas Flood Survivors Advocate for Federal Assistance in D.C.
KERRVILLE, Texas – Survivors of devastating floods in Travis and Kerr counties are in Washington, D.C., urging federal leaders for crucial disaster assistance to aid in their recovery efforts.
Delegates from Texas and other states are advocating for two primary forms of help: an Individual Assistance designation for the 2026 flood from FEMA and federal funding for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program (CDBG-DR).
Individual Assistance provides essential support, including housing, unemployment compensation, case management, and legal services to disaster victims. Meanwhile, CDBG-DR is intended for long-term community recovery, but advocates stress that it lacks the necessary funding to help residents achieve stable housing.
Claudia Limon, a Kerrville resident, traveled to D.C. to voice the struggles still faced by families affected by the July flood. She noted that many residents remain displaced or are living in unsafe conditions due to mold and damage.
One family shared their plight, with one member commenting, “I don’t have nowhere to go,” reflecting the urgent need for support and solutions.
Ashlee Willis, a flood survivor from Travis County and a member of the Sandy Creek Alliance, emphasized the ongoing struggles of many who are attempting to rebuild their lives without adequate long-term assistance.
“We have a ton of people just hanging out there right now, trying to survive,” Willis stated. “We’re here to get that system allocated.”
About 30 delegates from various states are calling on U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, and others to back federal measures.
In Kerrville, local businesses have also suffered significant financial losses, with donations dropping from $2.3 million after the 2025 flood to just $268,000 following the 2026 incident. Several businesses have closed due to their inability to rebuild.
Grassroots organizers remain hopeful that pressure from residents, advocates, and local officials will open up federal funding avenues for disaster victims, both now and in the future. Community members are encouraged to reach out to their senators to urge support for disaster recovery assistance.
