Texas Hill Country flood recovery process continues
As Texas begins the process of recovering from the July 4 devastating floods that has killed more than 100 people, the state’s top ag official has praised Gov. Greg Abbott for adding disaster relief for an upcoming special session.
“I fully support his decision to include disaster relief in the agenda for the upcoming special session,” said Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller noted in a news release July 14. “We need to pass comprehensive, forward-looking legislation and focus on preparing Texas for future disasters, not just responding to those we face today.”
Texas is sadly no stranger to natural disasters, he said. The Panhandle wildfires were the worst in the state’s history, and now, devastating floods are once again testing the strength. “Texas’s size and geography mean we lead the nation in the number and cost of severe weather events. That makes our call to action even more critical.”
The special session will also include other topics that are also important to the state’s agriculture industry, he said.
AccuWeather said historic flash flooding that struck central Texas during the early morning hours of July 4. Persistent, heavy rainfall—exceeding 12 inches in some areas over just a few hours—triggered a catastrophic flash flood across the Texas Hill Country, including communities along the Guadalupe River west of San Antonio.
Water levels rose as much as 30 feet in just one hour, creating a powerful “wall of water” that swept away buildings, cars, and bridges. The disaster has resulted in at least 24 fatalities, and 23 to 25 children are reported missing from an overnight camp that was overwhelmed by rapidly rising water.
“The horrific loss of life in this flash flooding disaster is heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to the survivors, first responders, officials and volunteers helping families who have lost loved ones in the flood waters,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. “The normally calm Guadalupe River evolved into a raging torrent in a matter of minutes. Rapidly moving water can result in tremendous destruction and risk to safety, as seen in this tragedy. This is the latest disaster in an area with a long and tragic history of deadly and destructive flash floods. The damage, impacts on future tourism, cost of search and recovery efforts, extensive cleanup that will be needed, as well as insurance claims after this catastrophic flash flood, will have long-lasting economic impacts in the Hill Country region of Texas. AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from this flooding disaster will reach $18 billion to $22 billion.”
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Kerr County on July 11 and pledged federal resources to help the state recover. He delivered remarks during a roundtable discussion with first responders with local, state and federal officials. In the top photo, from left, First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump listen as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks. (Photo courtesy of White House.)
Nineteen other states have also sent resources to Texas, said Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd.
In response to the catastrophic flooding across central Texas, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, a native Texan, continues to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s activation of comprehensive disaster response and recovery resources.
USDA personnel across regional, state, and county offices are working to support impacted residents, agricultural producers, and communities with emergency response efforts, recovery resources and guidance, and long-term recovery assistance.
The Disaster Recovery Center in Kerrville is open to any impacted by the Hill Country floods. The effort is coordinated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration staff, with AgriLife Extension-Disaster Assessment Recovery providing the resource materials to support flood recovery, telehealth, mold remediation, and agricultural assistance.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the First Baptist Church, 625 Washington St., in Kerrville.
As part of its ongoing efforts to keep search and rescue dogs healthy, safe and mission-ready, the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team has deployed to Kerr County in support of Texas A&M Task Forces and other regional partners.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
