SAN ANTONIO – The Department of Public Safety is urging South Texas residents to remain vigilant and closely monitor rising water levels in rivers and bayous.
Officials say any additional rainfall will only worsen already saturated grounds.
Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said more than 3,000 flood-claim policies have been filed in the state through the FEMA flood insurance program. He said he expects that number to rise as he believes the worst of the weather may not be over.
"The way that the weather is running, we are so saturated in almost all parts of Texas, and so any rain that comes into our lakes and rivers and waterways, I think, is going to come out and come outside of its banks again," Kidd said.
He said the Austin-based state operations center continues to operate at an elevated activation level and that FEMA has been involved since May 8, when the Department of Public Safety increased their activation.
Gov. Greg Abbott has declared states of disaster in 24 counties. In Hays County, for example, four people have been confirmed dead and eight people remain missing.
Kidd said the only way to ensure safety during the next weather event is to always take flash flood warnings seriously.
"You've seen the damage in Wimberley (from) rising water coming very fast, very hard, and sometimes very high, and there is nothing we can do to stop that other than stay out of its way," Kidd said.
According to the River Forecasting Center, it will take 10-14 days to de-water the state once the rain stops.
DPS officials offered the following safety tips to observe during heavy rain events:
- Avoid flooded areas
- Avoid any fast flowing water
- Never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways
- Always observe road barricades placed for your protection