AUSTIN, Texas — Communities across flood-impacted parts of Texas are beginning the long road to recovery after last week’s catastrophic flooding, with crews assessing damaged roads, bridges, and other infrastructure while families work to rebuild what was lost.
Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that the state’s response is now shifting from emergency operations to recovery after days of flooding that triggered water rescues, evacuations, and widespread damage across the Texas Hill Country and other parts of the state.
“As the flood waters are now receding in most of these areas, we are now transitioning into the process of the cleanup and the rebuilding,” Abbott said during a news conference.
Abbott also said more than 2,700 personnel, along with more than 1,400 vehicles, boats, aircraft, and other assets, continue supporting flood response and recovery efforts statewide.
One community now focused on rebuilding is Fredericksburg, where city crews are continuing damage assessments after flooding along the Pedernales River.
Among those impacted is Mark Isbell, co-owner of Arrowhead Creek Vineyards.
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The couple had been living in an RV on their property for the past three years when floodwaters destroyed it.
“My wife and I, Kim and I, have had an RV at the very end of our property that we have been living in for about the last three years,” Mark Isbell said. “And that got wiped out in that storm.”
Isbell said he and his wife were able to gather some of their belongings before the water rose.
“There was enough water that it lifted it, rolled it and kind of moved it,” Isbell said. “And then the water got it. It almost was engulfed with water, but the pressure was such that it just kind of flattened it.”
As residents begin rebuilding, city officials are documenting damage across Fredericksburg.
Sean Doerre, the city’s director of communications, said crews have been surveying roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure since floodwaters receded.
“Our officials have been out since that floodwater receded late Thursday, early Friday, assessing the damage, getting a sense of what needs to be repaired,” Doerre said.
City leaders say the bridge on Old San Antonio Road remains their biggest infrastructure concern after part of the roadway washed out and debris was left behind when the Pedernales River surged through the area.
Doerre said those ongoing assessments will help officials better understand what recovery work lies ahead.
“Our emergency management coordinator and county officials are assessing that damage,” Doerre said. “Once they get a complete picture of that, they can get a sense of where those federal dollars, where those state dollars can come and help us with the repairs.”
He said recovery will take time.
“These repairs are likely to extend weeks, months, if not a year,” Doerre said. “But these are not quick repairs. Asking residents to have a little patience. Our crews are working on it.”
Despite losing their home, Isbell said support from neighbors and volunteers has helped his family begin moving forward.
“I am not the kind of person that generally asks for help,” Isbell said. “There are a lot of really good people that want to help. I’m thankful and blessed to have that; we’re just trying to get back to normal, some kind of normalcy.”
The Isbells have started a GoFundMe to help with their recovery. You can find the fundraiser here.