Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
From the video below, Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference at the State Operations Center in Austin to provide an update on Texas’s continued response to widespread flooding. Joined by senior state officials and emergency leaders, the Governor addressed current threats, federal aid, and expanded state operations in response to heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions across central and western Texas.
Governor Abbott was accompanied by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, Lower Colorado River Authority General Manager Phil Wilson, and other senior officials actively overseeing the state’s emergency efforts.
During the briefing, the Governor thanked President Donald Trump for quickly approving a Major Disaster Declaration, allowing federal resources to be deployed in support of the state and local response. “I want to thank President Trump for his swift approval of the Major Disaster Declaration,” Abbott said. He also praised U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her presence in the affected region. “I commend Secretary Noem for visiting Kerr County yesterday to receive critical updates from local officials and first responders,” he added. “The federal government is providing every necessary resource to assist in response and recovery.”
Governor Abbott cautioned Texans to remain vigilant as additional rainfall is expected to affect large parts of the state. “Heavy rainfall could lead to potential flash flooding,” he said. He urged residents to monitor changing weather conditions, follow official guidance, and consult DriveTexas.org for the latest road closures and conditions. “Texans must remain weather aware, especially in high-risk areas.”
To support the damage assessment and recovery process, the Governor highlighted the importance of self-reporting by affected residents. “Officials continue to review disaster damage information submitted through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT),” he noted. Impacted Texans are encouraged to document and report damage to homes or businesses by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov when it is safe to do so. This information, he said, is “vital to help officials identify impacted areas and connect Texans with resources.”
The Governor also outlined the comprehensive steps the state has taken to support the local response:
• Obtaining approval from President Trump for federal disaster assistance under a Major Disaster Declaration
• Amending the state’s disaster declaration to include additional counties
• Providing ongoing updates on state emergency operations in Kerr County and other hard-hit areas
• Increasing the State Operations Center’s readiness level to Level II (Escalated Response)
• Deploying emergency response resources ahead of anticipated flooding in West and Central Texas
“The State of Texas continues to act swiftly to support all impacted communities,” Abbott said. More than 1,500 personnel and over 925 vehicles and equipment assets have been deployed, with more than 20 state agencies currently engaged in the response across multiple regions.
Governor Abbott reiterated the need for caution and cooperation. “Texans are encouraged to follow instructions from local officials,” he stated. “Resources and information can be found at disaster.texas.gov.”
As the state prepares for more severe weather in the coming days, officials remain committed to maintaining a high level of readiness and coordination to protect lives and support affected communities.
Watch the Governor’s full press conference here.
See related stories:
