'We'll find a way to do it': Texas Gov. Abbott addresses San Angelo flood response

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials attended a press conference in San Angelo, Texas, to discuss the state's response to recent floods and its efforts to support the recovery process, including providing individual and public assistance as well as evaluating warning systems.

Those who joined Abbott at the press conference included San Angelo Mayor Tom Thompson, Rep. Drew Darby, Sen. Charles Perry, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd and local first responders.

Abbott said there was a great collaboration at all levels from the first minute following the historic July 4 floods that swept through Texas, including the town of San Angelo. He said the response by local San Angelo officials was "extraordinary" and that Tom Green County is considered to be a model for how communities should respond to disasters like this.

The state began preparing the day before the July 4 floods by deploying Texas Task Force One boat crews in the event they were needed. Abbott stated that the way the rescue teams worked to help save lives was crucial to how San Angelo handled the disaster.

"Had it not been for those rescues, dozens of people in this community would've lost their lives," Abbott said.

Statewide, there have been 135 confirmed deaths because of the floods, more than the number of those lost in Hurricane Harvey.

Abbot issued a state disaster declaration for Tom Green County on July 4 and requested a federal disaster declaration on July 10, which was granted the next day.

He said they are working with officials and the community to get through the recovery process. Individual assistance is now available at the disaster recovery center, made available by the federal declaration issued by President Donald Trump. Public assistance is available to rebuild the road and structures. Abbott said that, at the center, there are "more than a dozen state agencies available to help address the needs of the people in this community."

Abbott praised San Angelo and the San Angelo community for their resilience, moral values and the way that the citizens have worked to help each other. He said the state will continue to work with Tom Green County until the recovery is complete, starting with the Texas Legislature's special session, which begins on Monday, July 21.

"We want to make sure that, as we go into and come out of that special session, that we are striving to address every need of everybody in Tom Green County before that session is over," Abbott said.

"I have all the confidence in the world that the state is big enough to handle what the governor just said," Sen. Perry said. "That not one single person will be left behind when it comes to what they need addressed, and we'll find a way to do it."

When asked about warning systems, Abbott said that the warning systems will need to be evaluated during the special session, as different parts of the state vary.

"What may be needed in the Guadalupe River area could be completely different than what is needed in Tom Green County, and we need to be working with leaders and members of local communities to learn from them what is going to be best for them," Abbott said.

When it comes to agriculture, Sen. Perry stated that on Facebook, he has posted a link that people can go to for financial assistance from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

As for housing assistance and rebuilding, Chief Kim said the homes that have already been cleaned out will begin to be rebuilt relatively quickly. He stated that many volunteers have offered hotels and apartments to those waiting for their homes to be rebuilt, but that they are ultimately waiting for more information about federal programs.

The Small Business Administration at the Disaster Recovery Center not only deals with small businesses but also offers home loans. Kim urged those who may need a loan to have their home rebuilt or repaired to check out the resources offered by the SBA.

Abbott said that the state is not "taking an eye off of what's going on in Kerrville at all," but is still going to support them and other Texas affected communities.