FEMA

Disaster assistance centers have been opened to help people affected by recent severe weather. Victims can can get hands-on help applying for financial assistance.

There are now 35 counties in Texas that are eligible to apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's individual assistance program.

Storms tore through North Texas on Saturday night, killing seven people, including children. The small community of Valley View was hit especially hard.

An EF-2 tornado touched down in Valley View as storms ripped across North Texas overnight Saturday. Gov. Greg Abbott said cleanup efforts have begun.

At least 54 Arkansas residents were injured and one is dead after the March 31 tornadoes, according to a spokesperson with the National Weather Service.

More than a month after record-breaking rain flooded out many North Texans, time and money are running out for Balch Springs families who still have no place to go.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says officials are preparing a report to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If FEMA recommends a disaster declaration and President Biden signs one, residents could get individual assistance for damage to homes and businesses.

Texans can still apply for federal funds to help cover funeral costs for COVID-related deaths and there is currently no application deadline.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is opening six COVID-19 testing sites in Texas counties with high positivity rates and growing hospitalizations. Governor Greg Abbot requested support from the Biden administration last week.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is charged with insuring homes in floodplains, wants to adapt its construction rules to the present reality of climate change and is seeking public input. New rules would affect Texans living near the coast as well as people far inland — including residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The people who need help the most after disasters are least able to get it from the federal government. Internal records show that FEMA knows it has a problem.

The federal agency has more than $161 million in aid for Texans who need help covering storm-related expenses.