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Watch live: Gov. Abbott gives update on response to deadly flooding in Central Texas - CBS Texas

Published 9 hours ago3 minute read

By

S.E. Jenkins

Digital Content Producer, CBS Texas

S.E. Jenkins is a digital content producer for CBS Texas. She has also been a Digital Content Producer in Tallahassee and Myrtle Beach. S.E. graduated with journalism degrees from Texas State University, Aarhus Universitet and City, University of London.

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/ CBS Texas

Gov. Abbott meets with first responders in Central Texas

Gov. Abbott meets with first responders in Central Texas 00:20

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said search and rescue efforts continue after the deadly floods in Central Texas as crews work to remove debris from roads and bridges. The governor said search parties still include many out-of-state volunteers and dog teams.

Over 100 people remain missing statewide. The majority of the missing, 97, are from Kerr County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. More than 130 people have been confirmed dead. A large majority of the flooding deaths occurred in Kerr County, where officials have confirmed at least 106 people died.

Abbott said many of the missing are difficult to identify because there was no record of them logging in anywhere, like a camp or hotel.

Abbott also announced on Monday that the federal government has updated President Donald Trump's disaster declaration to include Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program. 

"President Trump's approval of my request to add more counties to his disaster declaration is another critical step to get Texans the support they need to recover," Abbott said. "Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties are now eligible for crucial public assistance to rebuild. Texas continues to work around-the-clock to help every impacted community heal and rebuild."

Qualifying Texans in the following counties remain eligible for FEMA's Individual Assistance program: Burnet, Kerr, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson. Texans can apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. 

One week after severe flooding devastated Central Texas, on Friday, Abbott activated state emergency response resources in anticipation of more severe weather and potential flash flooding across Texas this weekend.  

"Texas continues to stand ready to deploy all necessary resources to support Texans as severe storms move across our state," Abbott said in a news release.

The governor said swiftwater rescue boat squads from Texas A&M Task Force 1 have been deployed to assist local storm response efforts, complementing ongoing flood response and recovery operations throughout the state.

Officials ordered volunteer crews to temporarily suspend search operations near the river in Kerr County on Monday as the area hit hardest by catastrophic flash flooding on July 4 faced a renewed flood threat. Search and recovery efforts were initially paused early Sunday and later resumed, although officials continued to warn of ongoing flooding threats.  

S.E. Jenkins

S.E. Jenkins is a digital content producer for CBS Texas. She has also been a Digital Content Producer in Tallahassee and Myrtle Beach. S.E. graduated with journalism degrees from Texas State University, Aarhus Universitet and City, University of London.

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