Zavala County Judge Jesse Gonzales

03/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026

ZAVALA COUNTY FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE

Federal Public Assistance Approved
ZAVALA COUNTY, TEXAS — Zavala County is providing the following update regarding federal disaster assistance following the severe weather and flooding that affected our communities in July 2026.
President Donald J. Trump has approved a Major Disaster Declaration authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program for Zavala County and 18 other Texas counties.
FEMA Public Assistance may provide federal reimbursement to eligible governmental entities and certain nonprofit organizations for qualifying emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the disaster. Please Note- Zavala County does not have control on the type of assistance authorized however we continue to advocate for all assistance necessary to assist our residents.
This approval represents an important step in Zavala County’s recovery and will assist local officials in restoring public infrastructure and recovering eligible costs associated with emergency response and recovery operations.
Residents should understand that this approval currently applies to Public Assistance for governmental and eligible public-sector recovery costs. FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program—which may provide direct assistance to residents for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured or underinsured property losses, disaster unemployment assistance, and certain other disaster-related expenses—remains pending.
Residents who sustained damage to a home or business during the July storms and flooding are strongly encouraged to continue reporting that damage through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool at:
https://damage.tdem.texas.gov
Information submitted through the iSTAT survey remains vital in documenting the full impact of the disaster and supporting the pending request for Individual Assistance.
Zavala County continues working with state and federal partners to obtain every available recovery resource for our residents and communities.
As additional information becomes available regarding FEMA programs, eligibility requirements, application procedures, or assistance for individual residents, Zavala County will provide further public updates through its official communication channels.
Residents are encouraged to rely on verified information issued by Zavala County, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, FEMA, and other authorized governmental agencies.
We are Zavala County—Rebuilding Stronger.

Texas Division of Emergency Management State of Texas Assessment Tool surveys for homes and businesses

04/08/2026

31/07/2026

📢 PUBLIC NOTICE

Due to the City of Crystal City's temporary water service interruption, all Zavala County offices located in Crystal City will be closed today, Friday, July 31, for the remainder of the business day.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

– Zavala County Judge Jesse Gonzales

19/07/2026

PUBLIC INFORMATION UPDATE
Date: July 19, 2026
Time:
The Zavala County Sheriff's Office page will serve as the official information hub for all flood-related updates, recovery information, road closures, public safety announcements, and available resources. Residents are encouraged to follow this page and rely on official updates for accurate and timely information.
Chula Vista Subdivision
As residents begin returning to their homes and properties, it is critical that you complete the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) before beginning any cleanup efforts.
Completing the iSTAT assessment helps document damage to your property and provides important information used by local and state officials to assess the overall impact of the disaster and determine eligibility for potential assistance.
Please document all damages, including minor damage, by taking photographs and completing the assessment before removing debris or making repairs whenever it is safe to do so.
Information will be provided onsite to citizens.
Thank you for your continued cooperation as our community works together through the recovery process.
IMPORTANT: Completing the TDEM iSTAT Damage Assessment does NOT replace reporting damages to your insurance company. It helps local and state officials assess damages, identify community needs, and support disaster recovery efforts.

19/07/2026

⚠️ ZAVALA COUNTY RECOVERY NOTICE

UPDATE: Zavala County Road & Bridge crews will provide these services during the initial recovery period while we evaluate the need to contract with a private debris removal company. If additional resources are determined to be necessary, the County will make that decision at the appropriate time.

As our communities begin the recovery process following the recent flooding, Zavala County is asking residents in all affected areas to temporarily use the attached debris separation guide while cleaning up their properties.

This guide is intended to help residents prepare for an organized and efficient debris removal process. Properly separating debris now will help support future collection efforts and reduce delays once official operations begin.

County officials are continuing to coordinate with state and federal partners to establish the official debris management plan for Zavala County.

🚧 Additional guidance, collection procedures, designated pickup information, and other recovery updates will be announced as they become available.

We appreciate everyone’s patience, cooperation, and resilience as we work together to recover and rebuild our communities.

Together, Zavala County will recover—one step at a time.

19/07/2026

🚨 Public Notice – Chula Vista Boil Water Notice 🚨

Residents served by the Chula Vista Water System are advised that the attached Boil Water Notice will take effect once Chula Vista is reopened to the public and residents are allowed to return to their homes.

We are sharing this information in advance so residents can prepare. Once access is restored, customers served by the Chula Vista Water System will be required to boil water for drinking, cooking, and any other activity involving consumption until the notice is officially lifted.

We will continue to provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

18/07/2026

📢 PUBLIC NOTICE – Flood Damage Reporting

Following guidance from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Zavala County Judge's Office encourages all residents and business owners who sustained flood damage to report their damages once it is safe to return to your property and any evacuation orders have been lifted.
Reporting damage helps local and state officials assess the overall impact of the disaster and supports disaster recovery efforts.

🏠 Report Residential & Business Damage (iSTAT):
https://damage.tdem.texas.gov

ℹ️ Learn more about the iSTAT Damage Survey:
https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/help

Please have the following information available, if possible:
• Property address
• Photos of the damage
• Description of the damage
• Contact information

If you have questions, please contact the Zavala County Judge's Office at (830) 374-3810.

Thank you for helping document the impact of this disaster and supporting Zavala County's recovery efforts. Please continue to follow official updates from the Zavala County Judge's Office and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).