Letter to Brock Long, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Authorize Disaster Funding for Texas' Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend

Letter

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,

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