President Trump grants flood disaster for Valley, triggering FEMA assistance

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Rio Grande Valley residents impacted by the March flood will now have the opportunity to receive federal aid for disaster recovery following a presidential declaration.

Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda announced Friday that President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Disaster Declaration and that FEMA will be assisting the Rio Grande Valley.

“There are so many people in our community who are suffering,” said Sepulveda. “Now we are going to be able to deliver the help they need. It’s a blessing. Just yesterday I was praying about it.”

Harlingen was particularly hard hit during the storms with record rainfalls resulting in motorists abandoning vehicles all over the city and inundated roads.

Trump issued the declaration on Wednesday. This comes 55 days after the March 27 floods took a detrimental toll on countless South Texas families.

This declaration unlocks several federal resources and means individuals and households in the disaster area can apply for financial aid and other direct services.

According to FEMA, eligible residents and business owners in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties will see assistance through grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

FEMA officials say those who sustained losses should first file a claim with their insurance provider and then apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling (800) 621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.

Currently, a deadline for applications has not been publicly released, but, typically, FEMA sets an application period of 60 days, meaning it’s presumable that the tentative deadline would be around July 20.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Brownsville, expressed his gratitude to Trump for the declaration.

“I thank President Trump for granting a major disaster declaration for our region,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “I hope that FEMA will swiftly deliver desperately needed aid and relief to our communities. I will continue to work with federal, state and local officials to ensure those affected by this disaster receive the necessary resources to begin the recovery and rebuilding process.”

Gonzalez, as well as Monica De La Cruz, R-McAllen, both penned letters to the administration requesting assistance for the Valley in the wake of the flood’s aftermath.

“… (F)ederal support is urgently needed to protect public health and the livelihoods of many South Texans displaced by the storms. The lingering damage to property and critical infrastructure continues to cause severe problems,” De La Cruz wrote.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also wrote to Trump asking for support for the Valley. He expressed gratitude to the president on Friday following the declaration.

“The Rio Grande Valley endured devastating floods and severe storms that severely damaged Texans’ homes and businesses, and I thank President Trump for approving this request for federal disaster relief to be sent to the region,” Cornyn said in a statement. “I will continue to stay in touch with state and local officials to ensure South Texas has the resources and assistance it needs to recover and rebuild.”

Gov. Greg Abbott formally requested assistance on April 17 in an 18-page letter addressed to Trump noting the severity of the storm had overwhelmed local and state resources due to the extent of the damage. He also issued a state disaster declaration two days after the flood, mobilizing resources to assist impacted communities in the Valley.

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