Texas Flooding: Governor Greg Abbott Issues Major Disaster Declaration as Uvalde and Hill Country Assess Historic Damage

UVALDE, Texas — As historic Texas flooding continues to impact the Hill Country, Governor Greg Abbott announced a major disaster declaration Friday in Uvalde to expedite federal relief and recovery efforts. While the heaviest rainfall has passed, officials warn that downstream water flow keeps regional rivers at critical levels, sustaining life-threatening conditions across the hardest-hit areas.

During a Friday afternoon news conference, state and local leaders provided a comprehensive update on the extensive damage and ongoing emergency response. Governor Abbott emphasized that while the worst of the rain is behind the region, the danger is not over.

“Rivers will continue to rise and still pose a life-threatening danger to anybody near those rivers,” Governor Abbott stated, noting that the Uvalde area shares four major waterways: the Nueces (referred to in the briefing phonetically as the Nasis/Noasis River), Sabinal, Frio, and Leona rivers. Of these, the Nueces River remains the greatest ongoing threat to the community.

Casualties, Rescues, and Infrastructure Damage
State officials confirmed that two lives have been lost across the entire state due to the storms. However, swift action by emergency teams has prevented further tragedy. The state has rescued more than 270 people, while local officials in the Uvalde and Zavala regions have rescued over 300 additional individuals. As of Friday, approximately 125 people remain in shelters in the Uvalde area.

Infrastructure has taken a severe hit. Kerr County officials reported that they are actively assessing county-wide damage, with at least six bridges damaged and others remaining inaccessible. In Uvalde County, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that the FM 481 bridge collapsed overnight due to flooding. Officials are also evaluating damage to nearby FM 482, which connects Uvalde to Eagle Pass, though no specific reopening timetable is currently available.

Addressing rumors about local infrastructure, officials definitively stated that the Willingham Dam did not fail. While aerial footage suggested a breach, the dam operated exactly as designed, with unprecedented volumes of water flowing over the spillway. The structure remains intact and is holding back significant water.

Major Disaster Declaration and Resource Deployment
To accelerate recovery, Governor Abbott signed a 20-page major disaster declaration dated Friday, the 17th, which will be sent to President Trump. The declaration initially covers 28 counties hardest hit by the floodwaters, including Uvalde, Zavala, Dimmit, Real, Sutton, and Crockett, with provisions to add more counties as needed. This action opens the door to critical federal relief funding.

The state has mobilized massive resources to support local communities, deploying more than 2,700 personnel, 1,500 vehicles, 90 boats, and 20 aircraft. The Texas Department of Transportation has been working around the clock to clear and repair roads to prevent Uvalde from becoming isolated and to ensure supply routes remain open.

Unified Response and Community Warnings
State Representative Don McCloflley praised the unified, 24-hour operational response coordinated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), highlighting the seamless cooperation between the Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Border Patrol, and local law enforcement.

A County Commissioner echoed these sentiments, noting the efficiency of the multi-agency response, and provided information for local financial assistance. Residents wishing to donate can make deposits at any First State Bank of Uvalde location payable to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, or contribute via the Texas Bankers Association’s flood relief fund.

Chief Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management stressed that life safety remains the paramount priority. He issued a stark warning to residents: do not move road barricades, as roads may be completely washed out just beyond them. He also noted that even an additional one or two inches of rain could produce equally catastrophic impacts.

Chief Kidd directed residents to report property damage via the state website at tdem.texas.gov, which helps local incident support task forces organize targeted “muck-out” and cleanup operations.

Governor Abbott also took a moment to thank the media for disseminating advance warnings about the storm’s magnitude, crediting that coverage with helping residents evacuate and save lives. He further expressed gratitude to the governors of Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Nebraska, Alabama, Missouri, Colorado, Arizona, and Florida for providing mutual aid.

For those looking to support recovery efforts, the state has established a centralized 501(c)(3) charitable organization called the Texas One Fund. Donations can be made securely at rebuildtx.org to ensure support reaches those in need.

Officials urge all residents to remain vigilant over the next 24 to 48 hours, avoid flooded roadways, and heed all local evacuation and safety directives as the state transitions from active rescue to long-term recovery.