Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference at the Hunt Store after an aerial tour of flood damage in Texas. He provided updates on the state's ongoing response to severe flooding affecting the region.

"The hearts of our fellow Texans are breaking every single day because of what people in this community and the surrounding area are going through," said Governor Abbott. "There’s nothing more important on our hearts and minds than the people impacted, especially those who are still lost. We have to find every single person who’s missing, and that’s job No. 1. Texas is in this with the people of the Hill Country. We are not leaving until the job is done."

The Governor was accompanied by Speaker Dustin Burrows, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suezler, and other state officials during his tour and press conference.

Governor Abbott urged Texans to report suspected missing loved ones by calling 830-258-1111 or emailing kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov. Reports should include details such as name, physical description, and photos for identification purposes. He also warned against filing false reports due to potential criminal charges.

Community organizations offering grief counseling were highlighted by Governor Abbott: The Salvation Army's specialists in Kerrville, Crisis Response Ministries of Texas, Billy Graham Ministries Chaplain, Hill Country Mental Health and Development Disabilities Centers, Texas Health and Human Services Disaster Behavioral Health, and Texas Department of Public Safety Victims Assistance.

Before the press conference, Governor Abbott and Speaker Burrows assessed flood damage via an aerial tour to evaluate needs for affected communities. They discussed upcoming legislative sessions focused on disaster preparedness.

The State of Texas has deployed over 2,100 personnel along with more than 1,100 vehicles and equipment assets for local response efforts. Over 20 state agencies are addressing flooding threats statewide.

Officials continue reviewing disaster information reported through TDEM's Individual State Assessment Tool (iSTAT). Impacted residents can submit damage reports online at damage.tdem.texas.gov to help identify affected areas.

Texans should follow local official instructions and access flood resources via the Texas Disaster Portal at disaster.texas.gov.

Governor Abbott remains committed to providing necessary resources for local responses amid ongoing rainfall impacts across Texas:

- Updates on activated state emergency response resources

- Federal disaster assistance approval from President Trump under a Major Disaster Declaration

- Amendments adding counties under state disaster declarations

- Increased readiness level within Texan SOC (State Operations Center) escalating responses as West/Central regions face rain/flood threats

- Preemptive deployment ahead of anticipated weather conditions