Which is why they're not getting the requested aid... Well, actually, the local emergency manager has to make the disaster declaration to the state and have all their local and mutual aid resources exhausted. Then if the state approves a state disaster, the governor can request a presidential disaster declaration (PDD).
IF the cheeto agreed, that would free up a willing FEMA to respond to requests. However, we now have a FEMA Director that wants to eliminate the agency, so who knows. The whole thing is a shitshow.
Throw those two taintstains from Texas in there too: Abbot and Paxton