Williamson County denied FEMA assistance a second time

For the second time in a month, the federal government denied Gov. Rick Perry's request for financial aid to help repair extensive flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Hermine.

Perry asked President Barack Obama in a September 20 letter to issue a major disaster declaration for 13 Texas counties, including Travis and Williamson. The Obama administration denied the request October 8, but Perry appealed the decision.

In a letter dated November 5, W. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wrote that federal officials stand by their initial evaluation.

"We reaffirm our original findings that the impact from this event is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration," Fugate wrote. "The required response appears to be within the combined capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies."

According to Perry's written request in September, eight Texans lost their lives due to the tropical storm, including one in Williamson County and one in Travis. A reported 178 Texas homes were destroyed and 298 suffered major damage.

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FEMA denies state disaster ruling after Hermine

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied Gov. Rick Perry's request for a major disaster declaration for Texas following Tropical Storm Hermine.

The storm caused major flooding when it hit Central Texas last month.

The governor requested individual and public assistance for a total of 13 counties, including 5 in Central Texas. He also applied for hazard prevention statewide.

In its response, FEMA said the damage from the storm was not so severe or large, that the state shouldn't be able to handle it with state, local and nonprofit resources.

Rick Perry can submit an appeal within 30 days.