Congressman Gonzalez Urges President Trump and FEMA Administrator to Authorize Disaster Funding for Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator William B. Long requesting federal support and relief to Texas' Rio Grande Valley and Coastal bend regions. This week, these areas have suffered unprecedented severe weather and flooding, leaving many residents in desperate need of federal aid.

"I am requesting that President Trump and Administrator Long authorize federal support for regions in the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend that have been affected by severe weather and flooding," Congressman Gonzalez said. "I've been in contact with the Office of Governor Greg Abbott as well as local and state elected officials. Together, on all levels, we can assure these residents a rapid return to their daily lives."

Read the full letters below:

June 22, 2018

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump,

It is imperative to the safety and security of over one million Texans that we immediately provide the Rio Grande Valley support and relief from the severe weather and flooding event that began on June 19, 2018. This condition continues as of this writing today, has caused widespread and severe property damage, and threatens loss of life, in Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, San Patricio and Willacy counties.

This deluge has affected the Rio Grande Valley, located in South Texas, and spans several Congressional Districts. Water levels have been recorded as high as seven feet in some areas. This weather event caused serious devastation, including damages to public property, homes, businesses, roads, streets, and loss of property. The level of property damage, and danger to life and limb warranted a declaration of disaster from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

I would ask that you direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to exercise all the authority vested in it through 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.

Once the disaster declaration is made through FEMA, I ask that you make resources, including federal funds, available to these South Texas counties as soon as possible as we work together to recover and rebuild. I have included a copy of Governor Abbott's Proclamation of a state of disaster.

Should you have any questions, or need more information about this tragic occurrence, please contact me at (202) 225-2531.

Most respectfully,

Vicente Gonzalez

Member of Congress

June 22, 2018

William B. "Brock" Long

Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

500 C St. SW

Washington, D.C. 20024

Dear Administrator Long,

It is imperative to the safety and security of over one million Texans that we immediately provide the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend regions support and relief from the severe weather and flooding event that began on June 19, 2018. This condition continues as of this writing today, has caused widespread and severe property damage, and threatens loss of life, in Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, San Patricio, and Willacy counties.

This deluge has affected numerous communities in South Texas that span several Congressional Districts. Water levels have been recorded as high as seven feet in some areas. This weather event caused serious devastation, including damage to public property, homes, businesses, roads, and streets, as well as the loss of property. The level of property damage, and danger to life and limb warranted a declaration of disaster from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

I would ask that you direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to exercise all the authority vested in it through 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. Once the disaster declaration is made through FEMA, I ask that you make resources, including federal funds, available to these South Texas counties as soon as possible. FEMA's support will enhance existing state and local efforts and put our region more quickly on the path to rebuilding and recovery. I have included a copy of Governor Abbott's Proclamation of a state of disaster dated Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Should you have any questions, or need more information about this tragic occurrence, please contact me at (202) 225-2531.

Sincerely,

Vicente Gonzalez

Member of Congress