UPDATE:
Governor Greg Abbott said 24/7 operations continue after flooding across several Central Texas counties and first responders continue finding those who have lost their lives.
ABC is reporting a total of 132 fatalities across the state of Texas from floods.
Gov. Abbott said there are still 97 people missing in the greater Kerrville area from the Guadalupe River flooding, as well as nine people killed and three missing in Travis County, five deaths in Burnet County and one person missing, and three deaths in Williamson County.
Gov. Abbott said the state is working with agencies to help address the needs of Texans who have lost their homes and repair infrastructure in recent floods.
The governor also said a total of 21 counties are included in his disaster declaration for impacted communities from flooding and recent storms.
Gov. Abbott expressed his thanks to 25 states that have sent resources and first responders to areas hit hard by flooding recently.
"All of America has their eyes on what's going on in Texas and Americans are praying, caring for, and helping our state so much, it's just, unbelievable," Gov. Abbott said.
Lt. Col. Ben Baker with the Texas Game Wardens gave an update on search and recovery efforts across Central Texas and the Hill Country, including around 300 Texas Game Wardens being deployed in Kerr County and surrounding areas since July 4.
He detailed the assets being used to continue searching for the remaining missing people from the July 4 flooding, including K-9 detection teams and aviation.
Lt. Col. Baker said they were able to strategically stage in anticipation of additional heavy rainfall and more flooding, working alongside the Texas Division of Emergency Management and several swiftwater assets.
"Unfortunately, it did grow a little more widespread and we started conducting rescue operations not only through our swiftwater technicians but our aviation, multiple K-9 searches, and through our drone team," Lt. Col. Baker said. "Through those, we were able to successfully rescue several individuals and multiple evacuations."
Travis County ESD logged over 50 rescues in several hours, saving hundreds of people, the Travis County ESD assistant chief said.
Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said there are over 13,000 volunteers who have come out to help in the aftermath and recovery efforts across the communities impacted by recent flooding.
Chief Kidd said they are working to establish Volunteer Reception Centers in each community hit by flooding, so that volunteers can get matched with an area that they have capabilities and skills in to be the most help within each community. These sites will also act as a communication channel for volunteers.
ORIGINAL:
Governor Greg Abbott holds a press briefing in Leander on Texas' continued response to severe flooding impacting several Central Texas counties.
Prior to the briefing, the governor will tour damage in an impacted community and meet with local first responders.
The governor is joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Marc Williams, Travis County ESD 1 Assistant Chief Todd Weidman and other local and state officials.
Watch the press conference here:
