Governor Greg Abbott has asked the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue a rural area disaster declaration for several Texas counties affected by severe flooding over the July 4th weekend. The request covers Coke, Concho, Kendall, Mason, and Sutton counties.
“Texas continues to support communities and Texans who are working to recover from the devastating floods that took place over the Fourth of July weekend,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I requested additional federal assistance to ensure that families and businesses in these affected areas have access to the support they need. Texas will continue to provide all necessary resources to help Texans recover and rebuild.”
If approved, the SBA declaration would allow residents and business owners in those counties to apply for low-interest loans through programs such as Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These programs are designed to help homeowners, renters, and businesses recover from natural disasters.
Governor Abbott has taken multiple steps in response to recent flooding events across Texas. Actions include extending disaster unemployment assistance for survivors, securing an extension of FEMA Individual Assistance registration periods for flood victims, presenting relief checks with organizations like Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund and Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country—efforts which have raised more than $40 million for long-term recovery—and requesting additional counties be added to various federal disaster declarations.
The state has also provided updates on emergency response operations in impacted communities; increased readiness levels at the State Operations Center; deployed emergency resources ahead of heavy rainfall; announced funding opportunities such as up to $5 million through the Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery Loan Program; granted over $1.9 million in hospital aid for flood-affected areas; launched emotional support lines; coordinated with federal officials including President Trump on site visits; and expanded eligibility for SNAP replacement benefits following major storms.
These measures reflect ongoing efforts by state leadership to address both immediate needs and longer-term recovery challenges faced by Texans after catastrophic weather events.
