Gov. Abbott: 161 Still Missing After Central Texas Flooding

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 thought to be in the Texas Hill Country area over the holiday, yet they had not checked into any official accommodations like 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 enjoying their summer vacations in the Hill Country, with many opting to remain offline," Abbott said. “This has created significant difficulties for emergency teams in obtaining a precise assessment.”

The governor emphasized the extent of the devastation, highlighting washed-out roads, collapsed bridges, and extensive structural damage across several counties. Efforts to locate missing individuals and assist impacted communities are actively continuing, with local authorities, the Texas National Guard, and federal partners collaborating in the response.

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.