Texas expands flood response as Abbott warns of more life-threatening rain

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is expanding its response to severe flooding as state leaders warn another round of heavy rain could bring more dangerous conditions to parts of Central and South Texas.

During a Thursday briefing at the State Operations Center, Gov. Greg Abbott said protecting lives remains the state’s top priority as life-threatening flooding continues.

“Once again, life-threatening catastrophic flooding remains our main risk tonight and overnight through the early morning hours,” Abbott said.

Abbott said 59 counties remain under a flood watch, with Uvalde and Johnson City among the communities facing the greatest risk over the next 24 hours. He also warned that record river levels are expected in several locations, including along the Nueces River near Uvalde.

The state has expanded its emergency response since Wednesday, with about 2,350 emergency responders now deployed along with more than 1,400 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including more than 85 boats, 21 aircraft, and more than 200 high-profile vehicles.

Abbott said those crews have completed more than 230 water rescues.

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Chief Nim Kidd, who leads the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said National Weather Service meteorologists are forecasting more rain over already saturated areas.

“Meteorologists from the National Weather Service tell us an additional 10 to 15 inches of rain is possible over already wet areas,” Kidd said.

Kidd said some communities in the Uvalde area remain cut off because of flooding. The state has half a million meals ready to eat and one million bottles of water prepared for delivery by high-profile vehicles or military aircraft.

The Texas Department of Transportation said 125 roadway sections across the state had been impacted by floodwaters as of Thursday afternoon, with 87 remaining closed. Officials warned that even after floodwaters recede, roads and bridges may still be unsafe because of hidden damage.

Abbott also confirmed two flood-related deaths. One victim was a man who was swept away in an RV near Comfort. The second was a 75-year-old man who was swept away while driving in Uvalde.

During the briefing, CBS Austin asked the governor when the state’s focus would begin shifting from rescue operations to recovery.

“The most important thing we can do right now during the immediacy of all the rain coming down is doing everything we can to protect human life,” Abbott said. “But that said people can begin the process maybe as early as tomorrow to go through damage assessment.”

Abbott urged Texans to continue avoiding flooded roadways as the threat continues.

“Together, all of us Texans can be diligent over the next 24 hours to make sure we avoid rising water or heading into water on roadways,” he said.