McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday opened disaster centers on the South Texas border to help residents affected by flooding nearly two months ago.
The centers were opened in the border counties of Hidalgo, Willacy, Cameron and Starr after President Donald Trump on Friday declared a disaster for the region following the floods that began on March 27 when some areas received over 20 inches of rain.
“These centers serve as a critical resource for individuals seeking to recover qualifying expenses incurred due to the March 2025 floods,” Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., said.
The FEMA centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and are located:
- In Cameron County at the Harlingen Convention Center, 701 Harlingen Heights Dr., Harlingen, Texas
- In Hidalgo County at the Weslaco Economic Development
Corp., 275 S. Kansas Ave., Weslaco, Texas - In Willacy County at the Sebastian Community Center, 434 w. 8th St., Sebastian, Texas
- In Starr County at the Starr County Courthouse Annex, 100 N. FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas
“South Texas homeowners and business owners impacted by the March 2025 floods can now apply for crucial federal assistance,” U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, said Tuesday. He said the assistance will help residents “to begin the recovery and rebuilding process.”
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses must first file a claim with their insurance provider and then apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or via the FEMA app.
“I thank President Trump for granting a major disaster declaration for our region,” Gonzalez said.
Last month, Gonzalez was among lawmakers who sent Trump letters urging the president declare the area a disaster.
Gonzalez wrote that as of April 14, FEMA confirmed that 1,911 homes sustained major damage, 235 were destroyed, 2,618 received minor damage and 842 were affected.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the four counties immediately following the historic rain event, and had also asked Trump to declare a presidential disaster for South Texas communities.
Weeks after the storms rolled through the region, standing water still remained on several area roads and inside homes.
Residents seeking help at the disaster centers must bring receipts for all flood-related expenses and should provide photographs of damage to their property.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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