FEMA has denied or not advanced most Kerr County aid applications after deadly July 4 flood

[SARose]

Only about one-fifth of applicants for federal disaster assistance from Kerr County have been deemed eligible to get financial help so far, leaving hundreds without governmental aid more than three months after deadly floods ravaged the county on July 4.

As of Oct. 11, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials had referred only 46% of Kerr County applications for its Individuals and Households Program to the next stage, where they are evaluated to receive money, a Texas Tribune analysis of federal data shows.

That means 1,749 applications out of 3,228 still hadn’t been reviewed past the initial stage.

And among those from Kerr County that officials did review for specific funding, FEMA found only 704 applications eligible — or about 22%. The agency denied 775, largely because people weren’t responding or were withdrawing their applications.

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Let’s revisit a couple of things

In the video, Commissioners Harley Belew, Jonathan Letz, Tom Moser and Don Harris, along with County Judge Rob Kelly, debated whether to accept the funding. Despite warnings about urgent needs—like the sheriff department's outdated communications system—the court ultimately voted 3–2 to delay or decline using the money.

"We have an untrustworthy administration," said Commissioner Belew. "They've lied to us numerous times and used the virus to get what they want… I don't trust them. This money could come with mandates later."

And this

At the November 2021 meeting, residents voiced grave concerns about the strings attached to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Then-President Joe Biden signed ARPA—a $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package meant to aid the nation's economic recovery amid the going COVID-19 pandemic—into law in March of 2021.

"Accepting the ARPA money and putting our County under existing and future executive orders would federalize us and make us all slaves," said Richard King, a 30-year Kerr County resident and Air Force veteran. King urged officials to reject the funds outright, citing the risk of losing local control and facing massive financial penalties.

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My heart goes out to these folks.

But…

I’ll bet ya a donut these folks are reelected.

FAFO, sadly.