A third person has died in the catastrophic flooding that's ravaged Texas this month, swept away Monday while attempting to drive through floodwaters as communities across the state struggle with damage that's left entire neighborhoods unreachable.
Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed the death Friday during a visit to Cotulla, about 90 miles southwest of San Antonio, where he conducted a flyover to assess the scope of destruction. The floods have prompted more than 500 rescues and damaged homes and businesses across dozens of counties, with some areas still completely inaccessible to emergency responders.
Communities Still Underwater
Floodwaters have left parts of Cotulla unreachable nearly a week after the worst of the rains subsided. The Nueces River reached major flood stage at 29 feet, though it's crested and officials expect water levels to continue declining. But the danger isn't over. Areas downstream will continue to see waters rise into early August, particularly at the Lake Corpus Christi reservoir, Abbott said.
"Anyone living, working, commuting or just walking around areas downstream of the Nueces ... needs to be aware of possible dangers," Abbott warned. Central Texas was pounded by rain for several days last week, turning roads into rivers and forcing hundreds from their homes.
Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall Thursday, raising fears of additional devastation. Abbott said state officials hadn't received new reports of flooded homes or businesses from that storm, though communities already battered by flooding remained vulnerable to even modest rainfall.
Disaster Declaration Spans 59 Counties
The governor has issued a disaster declaration for 59 counties and requested federal disaster assistance for 33 counties. That federal help would provide crucial resources for recovery efforts in areas where local governments are already stretched thin responding to immediate needs.
The scale of the disaster reflects the growing frequency of extreme weather events that strain emergency response systems and leave working-class communities particularly vulnerable. Those without the resources to evacuate quickly or repair damaged homes face the longest road to recovery.
Monday's victim, swept away while driving through floodwaters, underscores the deadly risks that persist even as initial storms pass. Emergency officials have repeatedly warned residents never to drive through flooded roads, where just six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet and a foot of water can sweep away most vehicles.
Why This Matters:
The Texas floods highlight how extreme weather increasingly threatens communities that lack adequate infrastructure and emergency resources to protect residents. With 59 counties under disaster declaration, the scope of this crisis demonstrates the need for robust federal disaster assistance and long-term investments in flood mitigation. Communities downstream of the Nueces River face weeks of continued danger as waters rise into August, leaving families displaced and businesses shuttered. The more than 500 rescues required show how quickly these events can overwhelm local capacity. As climate patterns shift and extreme rainfall becomes more common, the adequacy of public safety nets and infrastructure investments will determine which communities can recover and which face prolonged hardship.