Gov. Greg Abbott surveyed flood-damaged communities by helicopter on July 20 and said Texas is moving from emergency response into cleanup and rebuilding after severe flooding struck large parts of the state last week. The governor’s office announced the visit in a July 20 news release issued from Kerrville.
Abbott said state officials have identified about 490 homes that sustained damage. According to the release, the state remains in an elevated response posture and will keep working with local, state and federal partners until the threat has passed and communities are on the path to full recovery.
“I want to thank all the first responders, volunteers, and our fellow Texans for the swift and effective response to the floods,” said Abbott. “We are now transitioning into the process of cleanup and rebuilding. The state is working with local officials to expedite debris removal and accelerate the rebuilding process.”
The governor conducted an aerial assessment across the Kerrville area, observing impacts to neighborhoods, roadways, bridges and other critical infrastructure, the release said. He was joined for the flight by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd and Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer.
After the tour, Abbott met with emergency management officials for updates on search and rescue operations, debris removal, infrastructure restoration and recovery efforts. The state is providing all necessary resources to support local response, according to the release, including personnel, aircraft, boats, high-water vehicles and other assets. Abbott was joined at a subsequent press conference by Kidd, Suelzer, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly and other state and local leaders.
The governor urged Texans in impacted areas to continue monitoring local forecasts, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from state and local officials. State officials said flood resources, preparedness information and recovery assistance are available at disaster.texas.gov and TexasReady.gov, with current road conditions posted at DriveTexas.org. Abbott also pointed Texans who want to help toward rebuildtx.org, saying donations there will assist residents affected by the floods.