Updated July 20, 2026 — Federal emergency assistance is now available to support the Texas response to flooding that began July 12, marking a material change from the state-only response described in earlier updates.

FEMA said the presidential emergency declaration covers 28 counties, including Uvalde, Kerr, Bexar, Bandera, Kendall and Zavala. The authorization allows FEMA to coordinate federal relief and provide equipment and other resources for emergency protective measures. Those measures are eligible for 75 percent federal funding, according to the agency announcement.

Texas officials said more than 2,700 personnel and 1,500 vehicles, aircraft and other assets had been deployed by July 17. The state reported more than 270 rescues. Two deaths had been confirmed after several days of extreme rain and rapidly rising waterways.

The federal action is an emergency declaration focused on immediate response. It is not the same as a major-disaster declaration offering the full range of longer-term recovery programs. State and federal damage assessments may lead to additional designations.

Residents should continue following local emergency instructions, avoid flooded roads and report storm damage through Disaster.Texas.Gov.

Source: FEMA emergency declaration announcement, republished without alteration — publicnow.com source ↗

Source: Texas Division of Emergency Management — tdem.texas.gov source ↗

Source: Associated Press — apnews.com source ↗