Cotulla Flood Assessment Finds at Least 48 Homes Damaged

A preliminary assessment found at least 48 residences damaged in Cotulla after flooding along the Nueces River, including at least six classified as having major damage. The assessment was still underway as of July 24 because some areas of La Salle County remained flooded or inaccessible.

The damage count gives residents an early picture of the flooding’s impact, but it is not a final tally. Crews and officials may identify additional damaged homes and infrastructure as access improves.

Flooding disrupted homes and public services

La Salle County issued a local disaster declaration on July 20. The county also temporarily closed its offices on July 21 because of area flooding, showing that the effects extended beyond individual properties and into routine public services.

Reporting from KSAT described infrastructure damage and continuing recovery work in and around Cotulla. The Texas Tribune also reported that officials were dealing with flooded or inaccessible areas while assessing the flooding’s effects.

For residents, that means conditions could continue to affect access to county services, travel through parts of the area, property inspections and recovery planning. The reported home count should be treated as preliminary rather than a final measure of losses.

Federal assistance had been requested, not approved

After surveying flood damage in Cotulla on July 24, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office said Texas was seeking to add La Salle County to a request for a federal major-disaster declaration. That action is part of the process for seeking additional federal support; it does not mean federal individual assistance had already been approved.

The distinction matters for residents and businesses waiting to learn what help may become available. Eligibility, application procedures and the types of assistance offered would depend on subsequent federal action and official damage assessments.

What residents should watch next

The immediate next steps are continued damage assessment, access to flooded areas, infrastructure recovery and updates about the federal declaration request. Residents and businesses should rely on La Salle County, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and other official emergency-management channels for confirmed information about assistance and recovery services.

As of July 29, the available records document significant damage and an active recovery effort, but they do not show that the assessment was complete or that federal individual assistance had been approved.

Sources

• KSAT: Governor Abbott visits Cotulla to assess flood damage and relief efforts
• Office of the Texas Governor: Cotulla flood briefing and additional-county disaster request
• La Salle County: County offices closed due to area flooding
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: July 2026 severe storms and flooding recovery resources