LIVE BLOG: Search for missing continues as Texas community grieves

TEXAS (KXAN) — Friday marks day eight since flash floods in Central Texas killed more than 100 people.

As survivors begin recovery efforts, state and local emergency responders continue to search for missing people in several counties.

At least 120 deaths have been confirmed in six counties. As of Thursday, 161 people were missing in Kerr County alone. Overall, at least 166 people remain missing in the state.

Here's what we know about some of the victims.

Here are the top headlines:

• Resources for Texans affected by flooding: Find shelter, supplies and assistance
• Today's forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team
• Why were flash floods across Central Texas so catastrophic? Read Meteorologist Freddy Vela's weather blog post.
• Previous KXAN live blogs: July 4, July 5, July 6, July 7. July 8, July 9, July 10
• "Total destruction": 10 still missing in Travis County, Big Sandy Creek area devastated
• "Hunt Strong": Community icon, the Hunt Store, destroyed in Kerr Co. flood
• Austin Fire Chief defends response after accusations of delaying help for Kerr County flooding; Austin Firefighters Association president calls for no confidence vote
• The final missing person in Burnet County is Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief, sheriff says
• How does FEMA work? Owner of emergency response company explains FEMA's process

LATEST UPDATES

10:00 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Friday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission launched the Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line.

The crisis support line is available 24/7 and provides professional crisis counseling at no cost by calling 833-812-2480.

All calls are confidential and answered by specially trained professionals to work with disaster survivors, according to the press release.

9:02 a.m. The neighborhood near the Big Sandy Creek Bridge planned a meeting for Friday. The meeting's sign included a note of: “Only neighbors welcome. No 'officials.'”

8:40 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) request that additional counties be added to President Trump's major disaster declaration related to the July 4 flooding.

According to the press release, the five counties requested to be eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) individual assistance program include Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson.

Abbott's press office said four counties, Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba, were requested to be eligible for FEMA's public assistance program.

8:20 a.m. KXAN reporter Mercedez Hernandez said the Task Force for search and rescue was at the bridge in Big Sandy Creek. The bridge is currently only open to foot traffic.

7:48 a.m. Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle provided the following statement related to Leander's flood response in the Sandy Creek area.

At 2:00 am Saturday morning, Leander Fire was called in to assist with water rescues at Sandy Creek in Travis County. Our teams rushed in without hesitation and performed multiple rescues that day: from Sandy Creek itself, to evacuations in Williamson County, to a dangerous Liberty Hill rescue that nearly claimed the lives of three of our own. We also opened our Travisso fire station as a staging area for Travis County crews and hosted state rescue teams at our headquarters. Our responders acted with the bravery and compassion that defines Leander.

For days, I believed we were still assisting Travis County because that is the protocol for disasters in the state of Texas and what we always do. Leander shows up. We sent crews to Hurricane Harvey, the West explosion, wildfires in East Texas. Wherever help is needed, we go. I never imagined Travis County would turn away our help. But that is what happened.

I've only recently learned that after the initial rescues, Travis County began denying us access and asking our teams to stand down. Our staff wanted to go in, but they followed protocol. Travis County is the jurisdiction in charge, and they chose to refuse not only our, but other jurisdictions' assistance. If I had known, I would have moved mountains to change that response by calling county officials directly or by publicly demanding action.

I am devastated for the families who waited in anguish. In repeating my understanding that we were assisting, I inadvertently added to their pain. For that, I am deeply sorry.

In reviewing Travis County's Hazard Mitigation Plan, I found that while Sandy Creek was marked as a flood risk on a map, it was never specifically identified for mitigation efforts. There was no plan to reduce the danger there. I don't know how such an area could be overlooked, but it is unacceptable.

Yesterday, the state deployed an 80-member TDEM team to assist, but even they have told us to stay out. We are told we may be allowed back in for cleanup in a few days. I do not understand why Leander has been denied access to so much of this tragedy. Sandy Creek is part of our community, and we would have gladly taken command.

Leander will always be ready to help. Our people stand willing at a moment's notice. I will continue to push for answers, because the families of Sandy Creek deserve justice and they deserve to know that their community was ready to stand with them, even when others stood in the way.

Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle

7:35 a.m. CapMetro Access buses at Round Mountain Baptist Church

7:30 a.m. KXAN photojournalist Todd Bailey and reporter Mercedez Hernandez reported on recovery efforts along Windy Valley Road in the Sandy Creek area.

6:04 a.m. This afternoon, KXAN will speak with a representative with the Central Texas Food Bank to discuss its newest emergency distribution locations to help those affected by flooding.

5:11 a.m. In addition to the restaurants that provided 100% of their profits to relief efforts on Thursday, Torchy's Tacos announced it would donate a dollar of every taco sold in July.

Doc's Backyard Grill and Waterloo Ice House also said it would have a flood relief fundraising event at all locations today.