Looking for more help after the recent flooding? Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has compiled one of the most comprehensive collections of disaster recovery resources available for individual Texans. The online guide brings together trusted information from state and federal agencies covering everything from home and property recovery to agricultural assistance, financial aid, mental health resources, disaster fraud prevention, and support for older adults and caregivers. It also includes printable fact sheets—such as protecting yourself from scams after a disaster and resources specifically for seniors—that are especially helpful to keep on hand or share with family and neighbors.

Explore the full resource guide: https://texashelp.tamu.edu/july-2025-texas-flooding-recovery-resources/

KC Public Library is here to help anyone that is needing help with the iSTAT Assessment Survey. If you had any damages due to the July 2026 flooding.  Please come by the library for any questions or concerns, we are here Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm or call us at 830-563-2884
KC Public Library will be opened on Wednesday and Thursday, July 29-30 from 6pm - 7pm to help with the iSTAT Storm Damage Survey/Assessment

As farmers and ranchers across Southwest Texas continue recovering from recent flooding, the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund is providing financial assistance to help agricultural producers rebuild. Administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), the STAR Fund offers qualified agricultural producers reimbursement of up to 80 percent of eligible disaster-related expenses that are not covered by insurance or another government assistance program. The program is intended to help producers recover from natural disasters by sharing the cost of rebuilding essential agricultural operations. Eligible expenses may include repairing or replacing fences, restoring damaged infrastructure, purchasing materials necessary to resume operations and other agricultural recovery costs directly related to the disaster.  Unlike many state assistance programs, the STAR Fund is supported entirely through donations from private individuals and organizations rather than taxpayer funding. The program is activated following qualifying disaster declarations, with eligibility and funding determined by the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

To be eligible, an applicant's county must be included in either a disaster declaration issued by the Governor of Texas or an agricultural emergency declaration by the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. Governor Greg Abbott's July 14 disaster declaration includes Kinney County among the counties affected by severe storms, heavy rainfall and flash flooding that began July 13. Eligible applicants include commercial Farmers, Ranchers, Agricultural producers, Agribusinesses, Agricultural processing operations, and Nonprofit agricultural entities. Backyard gardens and hobby farms are not eligible. If an agricultural operation has multiple owners, only one application may be submitted on behalf of the operation. In addition, each agricultural operation is eligible for only one STAR award within a 24-month period.

Applicants must demonstrate that expenses were directly related to agricultural production and were caused by the declared disaster. The Texas Department of Agriculture recommends producers keep detailed documentation throughout the recovery process, including:

• Photographs of damage before repairs begin
• Photos documenting repairs
• Receipts and invoices for materials and supplies
• Contractor invoices
• Records of labor and equipment used during recovery
• Documentation showing what costs were or were not covered by insurance or other government programs
Maintaining complete records can help streamline the application process and support reimbursement requests.

Application Deadline
Applications related to the July 2026 severe weather disaster must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2026. Applications may be completed through TDA's online grant portal, or producers may request a paper application by emailing grants@TexasAgriculture.gov. For additional information about eligibility, application instructions and current disaster declarations, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture's STAR Fund webpage.

STAR Fund at a Glance
Who is eligible? Commercial farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, agribusinesses and nonprofit agricultural entities in declared disaster areas.
How much assistance is available?  Up to 80% of eligible disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or another government program.
What can the funds be used for? Eligible recovery expenses necessary to restore agricultural operations, including rebuilding fences, repairing infrastructure and other disaster-related agricultural costs.

Application deadline: October 31, 2026
Tip: Don't wait until repairs are complete. Begin documenting damage immediately with photographs, receipts, invoices and records of labor to support your application.

If your home or business sustained flood damage, one of the most important things you can do is document all damage before beginning cleanup or repairs. Take clear photographs, save receipts, and keep records of labor, materials, and repair costs. This documentation is important for insurance claims, disaster damage assessments, and any future assistance programs that may become available. Residents and business owners are also encouraged to complete the TDEM iSTAT Damage Survey, which helps the State of Texas assess the overall impact of the disaster. Please note: The iSTAT survey is not an application for financial assistance, but it is a critical step in determining whether assistance may become available. If you need assistance completing the survey, help is available at the Kinney County Library.