The Lubbock County Emergency Management Office said even though Lubbock was included on Governor Greg Abbott’s list of 31 counties in a state of disaster, federal aid will not be offered to resident’s affected by Wednesday’s flooding. 

“Just because you’re on the list doesn’t mean that you’re going to qualify for any federal help or assistance,” coordinator Clinton Thetford said. 

Thetford said even though Lubbock was included in the declaration, the rain stopped sooner than was anticipated, and the county was able to handle the response effort with local assets.

He said the damage done to homes didn’t meet federal requirements, which say at least five homes have to be destroyed to receive aid.

“We could have 20,000 homes that had six inches of water and still not qualify for federal assistance for individuals,” Thetford said.
 
One organization that is able to help affected residents is the American Red Cross.  Representatives said they’ve had an influx of calls since Wednesday from some of the hardest hit areas. 
 
“We give them the assistance right then so that they can go on an do what they need to do to get their lives back on track,” Judy Pevytoe said.
 
Both the Red Cross and Thetford said the best way to avoid disasters is to be smart and plan ahead. 
 
“Citizens need to be prepared to really take care of themselves during times of disasters or emergencies,” Thetford said. “Because one government can’t do all of it and we really have to be looking at the big picture.”

For more information on how to contact the Red Cross click here.