E-Paper
Texas state-wide disaster: What counties are covered amid floods? What to do?
Governor Abbott is signing a disaster declaration that includes several Central Texas counties hit by flash flooding,
Governor Gregg Abbott on Friday issued a disaster declaration to include several counties in Central Texas affected by the flash flooding that has killed 24 people so far.
“I’m signing a disaster declaration that includes more than just the [Kerrville area],” Abbott said in a press conference.
The order will expedite state funding for the areas that experienced significant damage. The affected counties include Hunt, Kerr, and Ingram, among others
According to the authorities, the counties included in the declaration will continue to see downpours tonight and into tomorrow emergency workers Abbott said that teams on the ground were still in a “search and rescue posture,” as officials remained hopeful more flood victims would be found alive.
"[Searches] will continue in the darkness of night. They will take place when the sun is rising in the morning. They will be nonstop," Abbott said.
Major General Thomas M. Suelzer said that the Texas National Guard used helicopters and rescue swimmers to make 237 rescues and evacuations from the floods so far.
The Texas flash floods
A river gauge at Hunt recorded a 22-foot rise (6.7 meters) in about two hours, according to Bob Fogarty, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Austin/San Antonio office. The gauge failed after recording a level of 29 and a half feet (9 meters).
“The water’s moving so fast, you’re not going to recognise how bad it is until it’s on top of you,” Fogarty said.
On the Kerr County sheriff's office Facebook page, people posted pictures of loved ones and begged for help finding them.
At least 400 people were on the ground helping in the response. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters and 12 drones were being used, with some people being rescued from trees.
About 23 of the roughly 750 girls attending Camp Mystic were unaccounted for.
