Letter to President Donald Trump - Authorize Disaster Funding for Texas' Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend

Letter

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,

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