The declaration will ensure federal resources are made available to those impacted by the catastrophic flooding.

In the last nine years, federal funding for a system has been denied to the county as it contends with a tax base hostile to government overspending.

At least 24 people are dead after heavy rain lashed Texas, leading to "catastrophic" flooding. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said emergency responders remained in a search and rescue posture, hours after the flooding along the Guadalupe River inundated nearby areas.