Texas Officials Brief on Response to Devastating Hill Country Flooding

Texas Unity in Crisis

• 🤝 Governor Abbott highlights the quintessential Texas spirit of unity observed in the community over the past 24 hours.
• 🎯 The commitment is to be relentless in locating every single person affected by the flooding, operating 24/7 until the job is complete.

Expanded Disaster Declaration

• 🗺️ Governor Abbott announced an expanded disaster declaration to include Bear, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis, and Williamson counties, with more to be added as needed.
• 🏛️ This declaration serves as a request for federal disaster assistance, seeking immediate and ongoing help from the federal government.

Federal Support and Resources

• ❤️ Secretary Chrissy Gnome conveyed President Trump's deep concern for affected families and commitment to using all federal resources to help.
• 🚁 Coast Guard assets, including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters equipped with thermals, are being deployed to aid in search and rescue efforts, even through the night.
• 🤝 Federal agencies like FEMA, Customs and Border Protection (Bortac team), and the Coast Guard are providing on-the-ground support and specialized rescue capabilities.

Search and Recovery Efforts

• 💔 The number of deceased has risen to 32, with 18 adults and 14 children, and five adults and three children remain unidentified.
• 🔍 Search efforts are ongoing along the entire river basin, utilizing air, boat, and ground crews, including human and canine teams, to find missing individuals.
• ⚠️ While the focus remains on finding survivors, the transition to recovery is acknowledged, with a commitment to continue searching until everyone is accounted for.

Community Resilience and Future Outlook

• 🌟 Local officials, first responders, and volunteers are praised for their heroic efforts and dedication in rescuing over 850 people.
• 🏗️ The path to recovery and rebuilding will be a long and arduous task, but cooperation and unity are seen as key to overcoming the devastation.
• 🙏 Prayers are emphasized as a source of strength and support for the community and affected families, with a belief that prayers make a difference.