Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Shares Story of His Family’s Rescue from Texas Floods

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin revealed that his family was rescued from devastating floodwaters in central Texas that tragically resulted in over 100 fatalities. The floods struck Hunt, Texas, during the early hours of July 4, leaving his wife, Suzanne Youngkin, and other family members marooned at their property near the Guadalupe River. Youngkin expressed gratitude, stating, “By the grace of God, my family was safe,” although he acknowledged there were moments when their safety was uncertain.

In an update to the media, Youngkin mentioned that Texas authorities had offered to airlift his family out of danger. However, once it became clear they were no longer at risk, the family chose to decline the assistance so that those resources could be redirected to individuals facing life-threatening situations. On a more personal note, Youngkin traveled to Texas on Friday afternoon to meet with National Guard members who had been instrumental in rescuing his family.

The Youngkin family has a strong connection to the area, visiting the property multiple times annually, as his wife’s family has longstanding ties there. Youngkin stated, “These people are family to us, deep relationships,” and he noted the overwhelming devastation caused by the floods, emphasizing that the loss of life is shocking. In response to the disaster, Governor Youngkin announced the deployment of two Virginia Type III Swift Water Rescue Teams to aid in the ongoing recovery efforts in Texas.

He extended his sympathy, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families and communities in Texas who have been devastated by these historic floods.” Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported that more than 173 individuals remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the flooding, which severely impacted the Kerr County area, located approximately 90 miles northwest of San Antonio.