Greg Abbott said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference that 161 people remain missing after severe flooding in Central Texas during Independence Day weekend.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference at 3 p.m. Tuesday, providing a serious update on the ongoing response to the devastating flash floods that inundated Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.
Following an aerial survey of the affected area, Abbott reported that at least 161 individuals are still unaccounted for, with over 100 confirmed deaths across the state.
Abbott highlighted that a significant number of the missing individuals were believed to be in the Texas Hill Country area over the holiday. Yet, they had not checked into any official accommodations, such as hotels or camps. The absence of structured check-ins has hindered attempts to monitor visitors and evaluate who may still be unaccounted for.
“These were families and individuals relishing their summer vacations in the Hill Country, many of whom were choosing to stay off the grid,” Abbott stated. “This has created significant difficulties for emergency teams in obtaining an accurate assessment.”
The governor emphasized the extent of the devastation, highlighting washed-out roads, collapsed bridges, and extensive structural damage across several counties. Search and rescue operations continue, as local authorities, the Texas National Guard, and federal partners collaborate to find missing individuals and support impacted communities.
Abbott expressed gratitude to first responders, volunteers, and local officials for their unwavering efforts and stated that more resources would be allocated as needed.
He called on Texans to stay alert and steer clear of areas impacted by flooding, emphasizing that hazardous conditions persist throughout a significant portion of the affected region. Further developments are anticipated as the search progresses over the coming week.
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