San Benito Streets and homes were flooded during what was called The Flood of the Century. (San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)
By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON
Special to the NEWS
South Texas residents have less than two weeks to apply for federal disaster assistance following the storms and flooding that hit the region March 26–28. The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is Tuesday, July 22.
Disaster Recovery Centers across Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties have been winding down operations. The Las Palmas Community Center in Hidalgo County closed on Wednesday, July 9. Two more — the Starr County Courthouse Annex and the Sebastian Community Center in Willacy County — are expected to close Saturday, July 12.
The center in San Benito remains open for now, though its future is still under review.
“The state and FEMA continue to assess the needs of in-person outreach and monitor DRC activities,” said Carmen G. Rodríguez Díaz, Assistant External Affairs Officer (AEAO) IMC. “Based on the data collected, a determination is made on the need for in-person facilities.”
As of July 7, the San Benito center had recorded 2,355 cumulative visits.
Rodríguez Díaz said the most common reasons people are seeking in-person help now are for assistance with registration and for inquiries or updates on housing assistance.
To date, FEMA has approved over $69.6 million in assistance to more than 11,500 households. The U.S. Small Business Administration has also approved $12.9 million in low-interest disaster loans.
“FEMA personnel are still on the ground, supporting South Texas in coordination with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM),” Rodríguez Díaz said. “South Texas residents who have been affected by the March severe storms and flooding have until Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance.”
She noted that while new applications won’t be accepted after the deadline, survivors can still upload documents and provide additional information through their FEMA accounts.
“FEMA’s Individual Assistance program directly helps disaster survivors who may be uninsured or underinsured with basic critical needs such as returning a home to a safe, sanitary, functional, and accessible environment during their recovery from a disaster,” Rodríguez Díaz said.
Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help residents and business owners recover.
Applications for FEMA assistance can be submitted at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
SBA disaster loan applications are available at sba.gov/disaster, by calling 800-659-2955, or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
The deadline to apply for both FEMA aid and SBA disaster loans is Tuesday, July 22.
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