FnF News
“Walls of Water: Governor Abbott Declares Disaster as Texas Towns Drown Under Relentless Flooding”
By Khadija Khan | FNF News | July 7, 2025
As historic flooding devastates wide swaths of eastern and central Texas, Governor Greg Abbott addressed the public Monday in a press conference that marked both a logistical briefing and a political warning. With multiple counties under water and more rain forecast, Texas faces what may become one of its costliest natural disasters in over a decade.
Standing before an emergency operations backdrop in Austin, Abbott declared a State of Disaster for 43 counties and warned that federal assistance will be sought as rescue operations escalate.
“This is not over,” Abbott said sternly. “The worst may still be ahead.”
Catastrophic Rainfall and Flash Floods Pound the Region
Over the weekend, torrential rainstorms swept across Texas, delivering over 15 inches of rainfall in under 48 hours in some areas—including Harris, Liberty, Brazoria, and Montgomery counties. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, cars floated down major roads, and dozens of water rescues were reported by local authorities and fire departments.
Livestream images from Houston and Beaumont showed highways transformed into rivers, shopping plazas half-underwater, and evacuees gathering at emergency shelters set up inside schools and churches.
“We’re working around the clock,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, who stood beside Abbott during the press briefing. He confirmed that more than 300 National Guard troops have been deployed and high-water rescue vehicles moved into vulnerable areas.
Infrastructure Under Strain: Power Outages, Road Closures, and Dam Concerns
Governor Abbott’s press conference emphasized the strain on infrastructure, noting that over 110,000 Texans had lost power due to downed lines and blown transformers. He warned drivers to stay off the roads, especially as many bridges and rural crossings remain submerged or at risk of collapse.
Officials from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that more than 230 roads across the state were closed due to high water, and several key freight corridors had been temporarily shut down—disrupting logistics and fuel supply chains.
One of the more alarming updates came from Montgomery County, where officials are closely monitoring the Lake Conroe Dam for structural pressure buildup due to runoff surge.
“This is a slow-moving, system-wide crisis,” Abbott warned. “We must treat every road and crossing as potentially fatal.”
Political and Federal Coordination: Calls for FEMA Activation
Abbott used the presser to confirm that FEMA had been formally contacted, and that President Biden’s administration had responded with an initial readiness assessment team. “We are expecting a major federal disaster declaration to be issued within 48 hours,” the Governor said.
While there were no direct political jabs, Abbott made a subtle appeal to Washington: “Texans take care of our own, but we won’t hesitate to call for what we’re owed as citizens of this country when disaster strikes.”
Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn also released joint statements in support of federal relief and funding for long-term infrastructure fortification, including levee enhancements, drainage capacity, and early-warning flood systems.
Climate Questions and Emergency Management Challenges
Though Governor Abbott avoided directly linking the floods to climate change, multiple reporters in the briefing room raised the question. Abbott responded:
“Whether it’s a changing climate, a shifting pattern, or simply a high-precipitation year, Texans don’t debate the water. We respond to it.”
Environmental groups were quick to point out that Texas has faced three “500-year” floods in just eight years—in 2017, 2019, and now in 2025. Flood mitigation experts at the University of Texas described the current storm as a “slow, soaking catastrophe,” made worse by poor drainage planning and unchecked suburban sprawl.
Community Response and Warnings to the Public
Abbott closed the press conference with a call for unity and vigilance:
“If you see rising water, turn around—don’t drown. If you’re asked to evacuate, do it. The best way to save lives is to listen early.”
Live camera footage from shelters in Pasadena, Baytown, and The Woodlands showed local volunteers handing out food, dry clothes, and baby supplies to evacuees. Churches, mosques, and community centers across the state opened their doors, some filling up within hours.
The Red Cross, Texas Baptist Men, and Cajun Navy rescue volunteers have all mobilized alongside state officials. As of this report, no confirmed deaths had been announced, but over 45 injuries and multiple missing persons cases are under investigation.
Texas Fights the Water—And the Clock
With more rain expected through Wednesday and rivers continuing to rise across the Trinity, Neches, and Brazos watersheds, time is running out for flood-prone communities to escape the worst.
Governor Abbott ended with a sober reminder: “This is the moment to act—not to panic, but to move quickly. We are Texans. And we don’t wait for water to define us. We rise above it.”