Residents in Athens, Texas, are being urged to report any property damage after flash flooding swamped roads across the area.
Officials say they will use reports to identify urgent needs and determine whether Henderson County might qualify for federal disaster assistance.
Here's what to know
According to KETK, the Texas Department of Emergency Management wants Athens-area residents with flood-related property damage to submit it through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool, or iSTAT.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Athens and surrounding parts of Henderson County at about 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Heavy rain quickly built up in the area, flooding several roads.
The survey is meant to show whether residents have immediate needs related to the flooding and whether the overall damage may be severe enough for federal disaster assistance.
More background
As extreme weather disasters worsen, fast-moving floods like the one in Athens can put lives at risk by swallowing roads within minutes. They can also threaten livelihoods when homes, vehicles, and businesses suffer sudden damage and require costly repairs.
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In Athens, the storm's speed seemed to be one of the most alarming aspects.
"It looked like a lake. Within 5 minutes of it raining, it was too late," Susan Paul with Piggly Wiggly in Athens said, describing how quickly water built up around the store.
According to KETK, some Piggly Wiggly workers put out sandbags and raised a large plastic barrier at the front entrance to keep flooding out.
If losses are widespread in Athens, an accurate count could influence broader assistance decisions.
What's being done?
The Texas Department of Emergency Management said the survey will help it compile damage information from residents and identify any immediate needs after the flooding.
State officials will also use the information to assess whether the damage is severe enough to support a request for federal disaster assistance.
Residents can complete the iSTAT damage survey online, and it is available in both English and Spanish.
Where can I learn more?
For a broader look at how severe flooding has affected Texans beyond Henderson County, these stories offer additional reporting from across the state. They cover farm losses, the rising death toll, meteorologists' explanations, 2025 storm tracking, and misinformation around the floods.
• Across Texas, extreme flooding left farmers facing steep agricultural losses after deadly storms.
• In Kerrville, flash floods devastated communities as the death toll climbed and aid efforts grew.
• Houston meteorologist Travis Herzog shed light on the intensity of the deadly Texas flooding.
• Forecasters over Mexico tracked a growing disturbance to understand 2025 hurricane risks in Texas.
• In Texas, meteorologists debunked claims that cloud seeding caused the devastating flash floods.
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