Relief organizations are finally making it into the flood zone in Central Texas, reporting back the need is tremendous.
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The president's schedule included an aerial tour of some of the hard-hit areas and a visit to the state emergency operations center to meet with first responders and relatives of flood victims.
“He’s here to pledge his federal support like he already has with FEMA. That’s important as a leader to be where the point of friction is. That’s what a leader does.” Jeff Holt said.
Holt is also a member of the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department. If Trump asks him what they need for the future, Holt said he will tell the president “(phone) towers, then maybe a little better early warning system.”
Holt noted the early warning system is a topic for the state Legislature in a special session that starts July 23.
Ahead of his visit to flood-ravaged Central Texas, President Trump approved a request from Gov. Abbott to extend the major disaster declaration beyond Kerr County to eight additional counties, making them eligible for direct financial assistance to recover and rebuild.
“I thank President Trump and his Administration for their swift and continued support,” Abbott said in statement Thursday. “Texas will continue to deploy all available resources and support to help those impacted until the job is done.”
More counties could be added to the disaster declaration as further information from the damage assessments becomes available, according to FEMA.
