Texas flood survivors have gone to Washington to argue that many families and businesses in Kerr and Travis counties still lack the help needed to recover.
For people still displaced or dealing with mold after the 2026 flooding, the federal aid fight is not a distant policy debate; it could determine whether rebuilding is possible.
Here's what to know
At the center of the trip are two requests: FEMA Individual Assistance for the 2026 flood and funding for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, or CDBG-DR. About 30 delegates from Texas and other states traveled to Washington, D.C., to press that case.
As KSAT reported, CDBG-DR is meant to support long-term recovery, but survivors and advocates say it does not currently have enough funding to return affected residents to stable housing. They are also seeking FEMA Individual Assistance, which can help pay for housing, unemployment assistance, case management, and legal services after a disaster.
One of the people making that appeal is Kerrville resident Claudia Limon, who said some families are still in unsafe conditions after the July 2026 flood. She described to KSAT one household that continues to live in a mold-damaged home because the family has nowhere else to go.
The delegation is also asking U.S. Representative Chip Roy, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and other federal leaders to support the effort.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
In Kerrville, the pressure on local businesses can be seen in the donation totals. The Kerrville Chamber of Commerce said businesses received $2.3 million in community donations after the 2025 flood. After the 2026 flood, that amount dropped to $268,000.
Some businesses have closed after they could not afford to rebuild.
When stores close, residents can lose jobs and access to nearby services. Families dealing with damaged homes may also face health risks from mold and other hazards, especially if they do not have the money to move or repair their property.
What's being done?
To push for those measures, survivors and advocates are meeting directly with lawmakers in Washington.
Travis County flood survivor Ashlee Willis, a member of the Sandy Creek Alliance, said many residents are still waiting for that help.
"We have a ton of people just hanging out there right now, trying to survive on the daily basis, rebuilding their lives," Willis said, per KSAT. "And there are systems in place to help that. And we're here to get that system allocated."
Where can I learn more?
For more on the recovery challenges facing Texas communities, these stories offer additional reporting on federal aid, business losses, rescue efforts, and the storms behind Texas floods.
• Across Texas, disaster survivors are demanding full FEMA funding as housing needs persist.
• Texas farmers saw costs and damage mount quickly as floodwaters ruined crops and land.
• In Kerr County, homes were swamped overnight as rescuers reached stranded residents.
• In Washington, D.C., over $100 billion was directed toward emergency disaster needs nationwide.
• Meteorologists tracked the disturbance over Mexico to understand the 2025 Texas floods.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
