Texas, Kerr County and flood
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Texas, Greg Abbott and floods
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Officials in flood-stricken central Texas on Wednesday again deflected mounting questions about whether they could have done more to warn people ahead of devastating flash flooding that killed at least 119 people on July 4.
Over the last decade, an array of local and state agencies have missed opportunities to fund a flood warning system intended to avert the type of disaster that swept away dozens in Kerr County, Texas.
Twice, the Texas Division of Emergency Management turned down Kerr County's requests for money to improve flood warnings.
As of 6:25 p.m. on Wednesday, 96 people — 60 adults and 36 children — are dead after Hill Country flooding, Kerr County officials said.
In the Austin area, 12 people are still missing and 16 are known to have perished after rain swept away homes along rivers and creeks.
A government board, whose members included Camp Mystic’s co-owner, contracted with a company to better spot danger on the Guadalupe River.
Nearly a week after deadly floods struck Central Texas, search and rescue teams are continuing to probe debris for those still missing.
Kerr County workers affected by July 4 flooding can now apply for disaster unemployment assistance through the Texas Workforce Commission.