Governor Abbott notifies Houston area of ​​’huge, catastrophic event’ after touring flood damage

CONROE — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the damage he toured Monday in Conroe and southeast Texas “enormous and catastrophic.”

In a briefing after his tour, Abbott said it was heartbreaking to see the devastation that was “destroying homes, destroying lives and, unfortunately, even costing a few lives.”

Governor Abbott said there were three confirmed deaths due to recent storms and flooding.

Conroe Lt. Jimmy Waller died after a tornado last week pinned him under his house and catapulted his wife into a field near their Trinity County home.

South of Fort Worth, a 5-year-old boy died after being swept away by floodwaters.

And in Bosque County, the governor said a young man also lost his life.

The governor praised first responders for their extraordinary efforts, saying more than 500 people were rescued by local first responders and another 58 by the state.

“What we don’t know is that when you look at all the rescues performed by emergency first responders, which number in the hundreds, how many lives were saved.”

The governor implored people to report their damage today if they haven’t already, because to get federal financial aid, he says the state must have enough damage to report. You can report damages at Damage.tdem.texas.gov

Abbott said so far about 800 properties had been damaged and believed there could be many more.

91 Texas counties were affected by the storm and declared disaster areas by the state.

At last Thursday’s peak, there were 164,000 power outages and that number was down to 7,000 by Monday, Abbott said.

“There is going to be an increase in water levels, which could lead to more evacuations,” Abbott said.

“I’m very proud of my fellow Texans who stepped up and helped,” Abbott said, praising the community’s efforts to support storm and flood victims.

In Harris County alone, more than 200 people and about 180 pets were rescued during the weekend’s flooding, according to Judge Lina Hidalgo.

In Montgomery County, River Plantation is one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Conroe. 200 houses were flooded there.

Clean-up is underway and a relief center has been set up with equipment to help people.

“We always take care of each other,” Jamie Goodman, president of the River Plantation Community Improvement Association, told KPRC 2’s Cathy Hernandez, fighting back tears. Goodman says they also feed people today and help them remove dirt from their homes. They distribute Clorox, mops, shovels, protective masks and gloves as well as first aid equipment.

“And we have single mothers who are just trying to get by and it’s devastating for them. . …it looks like a war zone,” Goodman said.

They are asking for more supplies and volunteers to help them. The disaster center is set up at 451 River Plantation Drive with a temporary trailer that will be in place for two weeks.

“We’re hoping that people will be ready to redo their homes by the end of the week, that’s what we’re hoping for. And then the county will come and pick up the trash,” Goodman said.

A GoFundMe has been created to help with recovery efforts at River Plantation.

PICTURES: Mayor Whitmire and Police Chief Finner Take Aerial Tour of Kingwood Floods