Governor Greg Abbott announced on Friday that a third individual has succumbed to the flooding that has ravaged the Hill Country and South Texas regions. The latest victim was swept away while driving in Val Verde County on July 20, as stated during a press conference in Cotulla, located approximately 90 miles southwest of San Antonio.
Last week, the devastating floods claimed the lives of two others: one motorist in Uvalde County and another person whose RV was carried off in Kerr County. Abbott noted that the flooding has significantly impacted the area, with estimates suggesting that up to 135 homes in Kerr County have either been destroyed or severely damaged.
Since the onset of the flooding on July 12, the state has mobilized an extensive response effort, deploying over 2,700 personnel, more than 1,400 vehicles, 22 boats, and 20 aircraft. “In total, the state has rescued more than 500 individuals,” Abbott reported.
The governor warned that the number of damaged homes could increase in the coming days, as some regions remain submerged and inaccessible. Following a helicopter assessment of the damage on Friday, Abbott identified Cotulla as one of the hardest-hit areas, with at least 48 homes reported as damaged, although he acknowledged that this figure is preliminary.
“We all know that as soon as the waters recede, evaluators will be able to get in and assess the extent of the property damage,” he explained. “So, that number is likely to rise.” Until then, he emphasized that floodwaters continue to flow downstream, complicating recovery efforts.
“Once you’re above the Nueces River, that water is everywhere, and it seems like it just continues to persist,” Abbott said, recounting the destruction observed. “We witnessed significant damage to homes and infrastructure.”
