Congressman Gonzalez Requests President Trump and FEMA Administrator Long Include Duval County in Federal Disaster Declaration
Press Release
On Wednesday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator William B. Long, requesting that Duval County be added to DR-4377-FEMA, a Federal Disaster Declaration put in place after recent severe storms and flooding in Texas' Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend.
August 1, 2018
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Trump,
First and foremost, I would like to offer you my sincerest gratitude on behalf of the residents of Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. The recovery process will, without a doubt, be challenging, but your approval of federal assistance has provided countless families and businesses with the resources they need to rebuild. Many of our communities suffered from the severe weather and flooding event that began on June 19, 2018. Three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in Hidalgo County and thousands of people have already sought help.
Though we are thankful for your assistance thus far, I must 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 for Duval County as soon as possible. The flooding that devastated our communities was not limited to Cameron and Hidalgo Counties. Thus, assistance is required beyond those two counties.
As stated in my previous letters, the severe weather and flooding that occurred in South Texas spanned several Congressional Districts. Moreover, many homes, businesses, and public structures were left in need dire of repair. This devasting loss of property warrants a declaration of disaster for all affected communities, including Duval County.
Once the disaster declaration is made through FEMA, I ask that you make resources, including federal funds, available to Duval County.
Should you have any questions, or need more information about this tragic occurrence, please contact me at (202) 225-2531.
August 1, 2018
William B. "Brock" Long
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
Dear Administrator Long,
First and foremost, I would like to offer you my sincerest gratitude on behalf of the residents of Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. The recovery process will, without a doubt, be challenging, but your approval of federal assistance has provided countless families and businesses with the resources they need to rebuild. Many of our communities suffered from the severe weather and flooding event that began on June 19, 2018. Three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in Hidalgo County and thousands of people have already sought help.
Though we are thankful for your assistance thus far, I must 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 for Duval County as soon as possible. The flooding that devastated our communities was not limited to Cameron and Hidalgo Counties. Thus, assistance is required beyond those two counties.
As stated in my previous letters, the severe weather and flooding that occurred in South Texas spanned several Congressional Districts. Moreover, many homes, businesses, and public structures were left in need dire of repair. This devasting loss of property warrants a declaration of disaster for all affected communities, including Duval County.
Once the disaster declaration is made through FEMA, I ask that you make resources, including federal funds, available to Duval County.
Should you have any questions, or need more information about this tragic occurrence, please contact me at (202) 225-2531.
Source