CONROE – Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the damage he toured in Conroe and SE Texas on Monday “enormous and catastrophic.”
In a briefing after his tour, Abbott said it’s been heartwrenching to see the devastation that is “destroying homes, destroying lives and unfortunately, even claiming some lives.”
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Gov Abbott said there are three confirmed deaths due to recent storms and flooding.
Conroe Lt Jimmy Waller died after a tornado last week pinned him under his home and catapulted his wife into a field near their home in Trinity County.
South of Fort Worth, a 5-year-old boy died after being swept away by floodwater.
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 have been rescued by local first responders and another 58 by the state.
“What we do not know, is when you look at all the rescues performed by the emergency first responders, which is well into the hundreds, how many lives were saved.”
The governor implored people to report their damage today if they haven’t already because in order to get any federal financial assistance, he says the state has to have enough damage to report. You can report damage at damage.tdem.texas.gov
Abbott said so far they have reports of about 800 properties damaged, and believes there may be many more.
91 counties in Texas have been impacted by the storm and declared state disaster areas.
At the peak last Thursday, there were 164,000 power outages and that number on Monday was down to 7,000, Abbott said.
“There is going to be an increase in water levels, which could lead to more evacuations,” Abbott said
“I’m so proud of my fellow Texans for stepping up and helping out,” Abbott said, praising community efforts to support storm and flood victims.
In Harris County alone, more than 200 people and about 180 pets were rescued during weekend flooding, according to Judge Lina Hidalgo.
In Montgomery County, River Plantation is one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in Conroe. 200 homes there were flooded.
Cleanup is underway and a disaster center has been set up with supplies 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, holding back tears. Goodman says they are also feeding people today and helping them get the muck out of their homes. They’re handing out Clorox, mops, shovels, masks, and gloves for protection as well as first-aid supplies.
“And we have single moms just trying to get by and this is devastating for them. . .looks like a war zone,” Goodman said.
They’re asking for more supplies and volunteers to help. The Disaster Center is set up at 451 River Plantation Drive with a temporary trailer that’ll be in place for two weeks.
“We’re hoping to get people ready to re-do their house by the end of the week, that’s what we’re hoping. And then the County will come in and pick up the trash,” Goodman said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help assist in recovery efforts in River Plantation.
PHOTOS: Mayor Whitmire, Police Chief Finner take aerial tour of Kingwood flooding