Texas officials are intensifying their response to the early-July floods that killed at least 120 people and left about 160 missing across six Central Texas counties, including heavily hit Kerr County. The Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in less than an hour during the July 4 weekend storm, overwhelming local warning systems and prompting scrutiny of the state’s disaster readiness. Gov. Greg Abbott has added a slate of flood-related measures to the Texas Legislature’s special session that begins 21 July. His proclamation calls for legislation to upgrade flood-warning networks, bolster emergency communications, fund Hill Country recovery efforts and streamline state rules for disaster preparation and rebuilding. At the federal level, President Donald Trump on 11 July expanded the Major Disaster Declaration to eight additional counties. Residents in Burnet, Kerr, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson are now eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance, while Kendall, Kimble and Menard may seek Public Assistance for repairs to public infrastructure. Abbott hailed the move as “extraordinary collaboration” between state and federal agencies. The governor also opened Disaster Unemployment Assistance to workers in Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson counties, with applications accepted through 4 September. As new storms threaten the region, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate swift-water rescue teams and other resources, saying the state “stands ready to deploy all necessary assets” to protect residents.