SAN ANTONIO, TX. — Friday afternoon, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a major disaster declaration covering 28 counties and said more could still be added.

Some people in South Texas are once again facing the tough task of cleaning up after flash floods ruined dozens of riverfront homes west of San Antonio.

Those floods led to at least two deaths, and floodwaters are still rising in some areas, all in the same region that was devastated by major flooding last July.

The power of the floodwaters in Uvalde, Texas is especially visible. The water came up onto the land at the Civic Center, uprooted some trees, and amazingly enough, the water crested at the tree level. A trash can is hanging in a tree with boards, and there’s a blue tarp hanging from a tree. The pedestrian walkway behind the civic center is completely underwater as of Friday evening. So rescue operations are continuing across parts of Texas.

Meanwhile, a massive cleanup operation is now underway.

Abbott said that the state has sent in 2700 personnel, 90 boats, and 20 aircraft to assist with rescues. There were still about 125 people staying in a Red Cross shelter west of Uvalde, but they’re still slowly starting to go back to their homes.

Two lives have been lost so far in these massive floods across this broad area, and the Governor is warning that over the next 24 to 48 hours these waters still pose a risk. They’re still rising in some places, and he gave an update.

“The county of Uvalde almost became an island because of what happened with the rivers around it. Right now I am going to be issuing a major disaster declaration, and it will open the door to federal relief to assist in the rebuilding of this region,” Abbott said.

the flood waters left debris right on the river’s edge in Uvalde, just a snapshot of the massive amount of debris the floodwaters took with them all across southern Texas, and it gives you an idea what a massive cleanup is still ahead for so many families.

Abbott made time to thank the leadership of Florida and several other states for pitching in to help Texans as they start to recover.