As Texas Faces Impact of Winter Storm, Abbott Still Hasn’t Requested Federal Disaster Assistance From FEMA

Sabotaging Our Safety: Delays Could Be Catastrophic 

TEXAS - As a major winter storm bears down across the South this week, Governor Greg Abbott has failed to request federal disaster assistance from FEMA — a delay that could be catastrophic for thousands of Texans as the storm continues. Compounding the threat, the Trump administration has devastated FEMA’s capacity to respond to natural disaster with a series of staffing cuts and complicated bureaucratic red tape. 

“States cannot handle major disasters alone—especially when they’ve failed to invest in resilient infrastructure. This week, there will be fewer resources just as communities need help most because Abbott is refusing to ask for help,” said Sabotaging Our Safety Advisory Council Member and CWA District 6 Vice President (TX) Derrick Osobase. “Governor Abbott’s calls to cut FEMA are pure political theater—and Texans will pay the price. He's more interested in scoring points with the Trump administration than protecting the people he was elected to serve.”

North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana have all been approved for disaster declarations from FEMA. Those states will have access to supplement response efforts at the state and community level, including reimbursements for response services. 

QUICK FACTS

ABBOTT VS FEMA: In the wake of the Central Texas floods, Governor Abbott—as a member of the FEMA Review Council—called to cut FEMA funding, arguing states could respond more effectively, despite FEMA's life-saving relief efforts in Texas.

POWER OUTAGES: While the Texas grid is still functioning, as recently as August 2025, the Texas State Auditor's Office released a damning report showing that state oil and gas inspectors are failing to enforce winter weatherization standards for natural gas facilities. FULL FACT SHEET HERE. 

TEXANS LEFT BEHIND: Just six months after catastrophic flooding claimed over 130 lives across Central Texas, FEMA has only approved 20% of reviewed applications, leaving families stuck in semi-permanant housing and unable to rebuild and recover — a crisis compounded by the frozen temperatures ripping through the state.