“Individuals, businesses, and other political entities are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a mark of respect.”
HOUSTON — Gov. Greg Abbott is encouraging Texans to lower flags to half-staff to honor the victims of the devastating Hill Country floods.
The death toll on Wednesday stood at 111 with 161 still unaccounted for, according to Abbott. At least 27 children from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp along the Guadalupe River, were killed, with several campers and one counselor still missing.
Many of the victims are from the Houston area.
Hundreds of searchers and cadaver dogs are working around the clock to look for the missing to bring some sense of closure to the families. They include Texas EquuSearch.
“Texas has sustained a devastating and heartbreaking loss as a result of the recent flooding events across the state. Countless lives have been lost during this horrific event, and an unbelievable amount of physical and emotional damage has been sustained throughout the state,” Abbott said in a statement. “It is therefore fitting that flags be lowered to half-staff to assist in mourning, remembrance, and recovery from this terrible disaster.”
Abbott requested that flags be returned to full staff at sunrise on Monday, July 14.
Individuals, businesses, and other political subdivisions and entities are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a mark of respect and remembrance.
“On behalf of Texas, the First Lady and I offer our thoughts and prayers on behalf families and survivors during their time of mourning and recovery,” Abbott said.