AUSTIN, Texas—Federal disaster assistance to Texas for the October severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding has been expanded to include 16 counties in Texas for FEMA Public Assistance (PA).

Eleven counties designated for PA, including Bastrop, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson Counties, already are designated for Individual Assistance in the Nov. 25 disaster declaration. Five additional counties, including Bosque, Hill, Jasper, Newton and Walker Counties, have been approved for PA only.

Local and state government agencies, and certain private nonprofit organizations such as utilities and schools, in PA designated counties may now request supplementary FEMA PA reimbursements for disaster repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other eligible facilities affected in the Oct. 22 to Oct. 31 storms event.

FEMA reimburses a minimum of 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects, which can include debris removal and emergency protective services, such as police overtime for extra work caused from responding to the disaster.

Applicants apply through the state using a one-page Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form alerting FEMA that an applicant will seek assistance from the agency. State Public Assistance personnel will conduct briefings for applicants on how to prepare projects for submission.

FEMA ensures that all projects meet environmental quality standards and gives final approval for all projects. The federal share goes directly to the state, with the applicant paying the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to eligible applicants when documentation is complete.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit our disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.