Survivors from Kerr and Travis counties traveled to Washington, D.C., to demand FEMA Individual Assistance and increased CDBG-DR funding after the July 2026 floods. Roughly 30 delegates told federal officials current recovery resources are insufficient to return families to safe housing. Kerrville residents reported ongoing mold problems and a sharp drop in community donations—from $2.3 million after the 2025 flood to $268,000 after 2026—which has contributed to some businesses closing. Advocates are pressing lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Ted Cruz, to secure funds for long-term recovery.
Texas Flood Survivors Take Their Case to Washington as Mold Persists and Businesses Shut Down
Photo Credit: iStock
Survivors of back-to-back floods in Texas traveled to Washington, D.C., to press federal leaders for more relief after devastating 2026 floods left families and small businesses in Kerr and Travis counties struggling to recover. Delegates say many residents remain displaced or living in unsafe, mold-damaged homes and that current recovery funds are insufficient for long-term rebuilding.
What They're Asking For
The delegation centered its appeal on two key requests: activation of FEMA Individual Assistance for the July 2026 flood and increased funding for the Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. About 30 delegates from Texas and other states met with federal officials and lawmakers to argue these measures are essential to returning affected residents to safe housing and restoring local economies.
Local Impacts
Kerrville resident Claudia Limon described families still living in mold-damaged homes months after the July 2026 storm because they have nowhere else to go. The economic strain is visible in donations: the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce reported $2.3 million in community donations after the 2025 flood but just $268,000 after the 2026 event. That drop has contributed to some small businesses closing because owners could not afford to rebuild.
Health And Economic Risks
Advocates warn that prolonged exposure to mold and other hazards poses ongoing health risks, especially for families who cannot afford repairs or safe relocation. Store closures have cascading effects on local communities—lost jobs, reduced access to services, and slower economic recovery.
Meetings With Federal Lawmakers
The delegation requested support from federal officials including Representative Chip Roy and Senator Ted Cruz, urging them to back funding allocations for FEMA Individual Assistance and additional CDBG-DR resources. Survivors and advocates say these programs are needed not only for immediate relief but to finance long-term housing stabilization and legal and case-management services.
“We have a ton of people just hanging out there right now, trying to survive on the daily basis, rebuilding their lives,”
— Travis County flood survivor Ashlee Willis, of the Sandy Creek Alliance, speaking to KSAT about the slow pace of promised assistance.
Broader Context
Related reporting highlights statewide demands for full FEMA funding, rising costs and crop losses for farmers, emergency rescues when homes were swamped, and large-scale federal emergency spending directed toward disaster needs. Survivors say federal action is critical to preventing further business closures and protecting residents’ health.
What Comes Next
Delegates will continue meetings on Capitol Hill to press for allocations they say are essential to long-term recovery. Advocates hope clearer commitments from federal leaders and additional CDBG-DR funding combined with FEMA assistance will accelerate repairs, relocations, and economic stabilization for the hardest-hit communities.
Related: Further reporting has covered demands for full FEMA funding, damage to farms and crops, overnight rescues in Kerr County, federal emergency spending allocations, and meteorological analysis of the storms behind recent Texas floods.
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