Governor Abbott Thanks First Responders, Pledges Support After Central Texas Flooding

Governor Greg Abbott (R) visited Donald Lewis Hisle Elementary School on Monday to receive a briefing and hold a press conference on the state’s ongoing response to severe flooding that has impacted Central Texas communities.

Before addressing the public, the Governor toured damage at Sandy Creek Bridge and met with local first responders, volunteers, and residents.

“Our No. 1 job is always saving lives, protecting lives, and finding those who have lost their lives,” Gov. Abbott said. “That is a 24/7 operation that we are unrelenting in continuing to pursue. We as a state are going to be able to respond and recover from this. We are Texas strong.”

Joined by top state officials, including Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams, and other emergency response leaders, Governor Abbott outlined the coordinated recovery efforts currently underway. He also offered condolences to families affected by the storms and praised the dedication of first responders working around the clock to assist those in need.

The Governor's visit began with a tour of the Sandy Creek Bridge area, where local crews have already constructed a temporary bridge to reconnect with isolated communities. Residents expressed gratitude for the swift action and visible support from both state and county teams working to clear debris and restore damaged infrastructure.

Gov. Abbott acknowledged the collaboration of 25 states that have sent personnel and equipment to support search, rescue, and recovery operations in Texas. As of now, 21 counties have been included in the state’s disaster declaration, enabling expedited access to state resources and emergency assistance.

During the press conference, officials emphasized the urgent need to restore roads and bridges damaged by flooding. Plans are in motion to design and rebuild infrastructure in affected areas with increased resilience against future weather events.

Governor Abbott urged Texans to remain vigilant as more severe weather is forecasted in parts of the state this week. He encouraged residents to monitor local alerts, have an emergency plan in place, and follow the direction of local authorities to stay safe.