Texas flooding: Gov. Abbott speaks on Central Texas damage, recovery

LEANDER, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott held a news conference on Texas' continued response to severe flooding impacting Central Texas.

Prior to the briefing and news conference, the governor toured damage in an impacted community and met with local first responders.

Texas floods latest

As of July 14, Gov. Abbott announced 131 people are dead after devastating flooding in Central Texas. 

In Travis County, nine people are dead and three more are still missing. 

In Burnet County, five people are dead and one more is still missing.

In Williamson County, three people are dead and no one is missing at this time. 

Abbott speaks on damage and recovery

What they're saying:

Gov. Abbott spoke about the heartache people are still feeling and how the weather continues to hamper response efforts in Central Texas and in Kerr County. 

He also spoke about how 25 different states have sent teams to Texas to help with the response.

"You can see one thing that’s quite obvious is that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a red state or a blue state. They are fellow Americans, and when times get tough Americans come together that is even more true as it concerns Texas. This has been an extraordinarily challenging time, if not the most extraordinary time and, in typical Texas fashion, Texans have united come together and as I was visiting the Big Sandy Creek Bridge area, there was a young man who lived in what had been a marooned area, and he said you know in times like this we are community And everybody comes together and supports each other and that’s exactly what I see across this entire state," Gov. Abbott said. 

It's been 10 days since the catastrophic flooding swept across Central Texas.

"The stories about those who have been swept away is gut-wrenching and heart-breaking and the kind of thing that spurs us to do even more to make sure we can find everyone we can," said Abbott. 

On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott toured the damaged Sandy Creek Bridge and met with first responders before delivering an update on the state’s response.

"I visited the Sandy Creek Bridge and was astonished by what I saw. The center part of the bridge was moved half a foot in one direction, which shows the power of the water that was pushing through there," Abbott added. 

Abbott announced 21 counties are now under a disaster declaration—including Kerr, Travis, and Williamson—making them eligible for FEMA assistance.

With a flood watch in effect through Tuesday morning, Abbott says resources are being pre-staged in vulnerable areas like Uvalde, Del Rio, and Concan. 

"Turn around, don't drown. Don't drive through a low-water crossing if you can't see the road in front of you. If you are in a low-lying area please plan on moving to higher ground once the rain starts to come," said Chief Nim Kim, Texas Division of Emergency Management.  

TxDOT also provided an update on the destroyed Cow Creek Bridge on FM 1431.

"Our bridge teams with the Austin District of the Texas Department of Transportation have been working 24/7 to design a new bridge to replace that bridge that was washed out," said Marc Williams, Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director. 

The agency plans to award a construction contract this week with hopes to finish the 60-day project in just 40 days.

"We know that is a significantly important bridge travel corridor between Marble Falls, Lago Vista, Cedar Park, a lot of people commute the school year will be coming up soon," said Williams. 

Travis County ESD 1 says support from out-of-state agencies is making a big difference. The department reported 50 rescue missions, saving hundreds.

"The support just adds to our self-assurance that we can still provide for our citizens while we take care of the day-to-day operations, but also with the extended operations like search and rescue and still meeting and taking care of others," said Assistant Chief Todd Weidman, Travis County ESD 1.

More counties added to major disaster declaration

Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday the federal government has updated President Donald J. Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration following recent catastrophic flooding across Texas to include Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Tom Green, Williamson, Coke, and Concho counties for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program.

What they're saying:

"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," said Governor Abbott. "Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties are now eligible for crucial public assistance to rebuild. I thank President Trump for swiftly approving my request to approve these additional counties. Texas continues to work around-the-clock to help every impacted community heal and rebuild."

With the addition of Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties, the following counties are now approved for FEMA Public Assistance program: Burnet, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, and Tom Green counties. 

FEMA’s Public Assistance program includes assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Additional counties may be requested as updated information becomes available.

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. 

Additional counties may be added as additional damage assessments are completed in impacted communities.