Congressman Gonzalez thanks Governor Abbott for requesting FEMA Disaster Declaration for South Texas Counties

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement thanking Texas Governor Greg Abbott for requesting the authorization of disaster funding from FEMA for Cameron and Hidalgo Counties. Residents and business owners have suffered catastrophic property damage and loss after last week's unprecedented severe weather and flooding.

"On behalf of all South Texans recovering from severe weather and flooding, I would like to thank Governor Abbott for taking steps to ensure a more efficient and effective recovery," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Thanks to our first responders, emergency management personnel, and local and state officials for working together to assess the damages and report them to the State of Texas. Texans have the grit to weather the storm and the strength to rebuild once the storm passes. With the governor's and FEMA's assistance, South Texas will have the resources it needs to rebuild."

On Friday, Congressman Gonzalez sent letters to President Trump and Administrator Long asking that FEMA exercise authority, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act) §401, to expedite a disaster declaration.

On Monday, the congressman sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott requesting the governor contact President Trump and Administrator Long to formally request a federal disaster declaration. According to federal law, for federal disaster funding to be authorized, Governor Abbott needed to submit a formal request to FEMA.

The congressman is hoping that any authorized disaster funding will lead to an expedited recovery process for South Texans across the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend.