President Donald Trump and Texas lawmakers on Friday defended the federal government’s response to the deadly July Fourth flooding in Central Texas, claiming that aid was quickly dispatched to reeling communities after the floodwaters swept through.

The governor was quick to request federal assistance last week after devastating floods hit the Texas Hill Country.

In the Austin area, 12 people are still missing and 16 are known to have perished after rain swept away homes along rivers and creeks.

Texas leaders across political lines urge prayer for flood victims as the state, ranked third most religious in the U.S., copes with devastating floods that have claimed at least 80 lives.

More than one million Houstonians could have new congressional representation as early as next year under Gov. Greg Abbott's push to redraw the state's political maps.

Flags are half-staff across Texas today, as Gov. Greg Abbott ordered them lowered to honor the victims of the deadly Texas floods.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that additional counties have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration following the recent flooding in Texas, with FEMA providing Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs to aid affected Texans.

The Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line provides free crisis counseling from personnel trained to work with disaster survivors, according to a press release.