Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) said Tuesday his family was rescued from the mass flooding in Texas, adding that his relatives were safe “by the grace of God.”
Youngkin said he and his wife’s connections to Hunt, Texas, stretch back decades, with Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin’s family being connected to the area for over 80 years.
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Flooding hit central Texas on Friday, resulting in over 100 deaths across six counties.
The governor described the devastation in the Lone Star State as “shocking” and “emotionally overwhelming.”
“My family was there along with friends, and by the grace of God, my family was safe. I have to say there [were] moments when they weren’t. They ended up being safe during the day. I arrived on the 4th after my July Fourth activities here,” Youngkin told a Washington Post reporter Tuesday.
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Youngkin said emergency teams from the Texas National Guard offered to rescue his family right away, though he confirmed his family was safe and urged the rescuers to save others first. He later went with the guard members and Swift Water Rescue crews to save his family, saying he was “incredibly grateful” for their services.
The governor addressed the Texas flooding at a press conference about Virginia streamlining regulatory requirements. He began the conference with a prayer for Texas and the flood victims.
Youngkin announced Sunday the deployment of two Swift Water Rescue teams to aid in the recovery of any flood victims.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is also offering assistance in the aftermath of the flooding, deploying 18 rescue teams. Newsom’s office has assured this deployment will not hinder his state’s ability to respond to its natural disasters.