A third person has died due to the catastrophic flooding that has inundated Texas this month, Governor Greg Abbott confirmed Friday. The extensive rainfall has prompted more than 500 rescues, damaged homes and businesses, and rendered some areas inaccessible.
The governor stated that the latest victim was swept away on Monday while attempting to drive through floodwaters. Abbott visited Cotulla, a city approximately 90 miles southwest of San Antonio, to survey flood damage, noting that parts of the city remain unreachable.
The Nueces River reached a major flood stage of 29 feet but has since crested and is expected to recede. However, Abbott warned that downstream areas, including the Lake Corpus Christi reservoir, will continue to experience rising waters into early August. "Anyone living, working, commuting or just walking around areas downstream of the Nueces … needs to be aware of possible dangers," Abbott advised.
Central Texas experienced several days of heavy rain last week, exacerbated by the impact of Tropical Storm Bertha, which made landfall on Thursday. Governor Abbott indicated that state officials had not received any new reports of flooded homes or businesses directly related to Bertha.
Governor Abbott has already issued a disaster declaration for 59 counties and requested federal disaster assistance for 33 counties affected by the severe weather.