Flags are flying at half-staff across Texas today, following Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to honor the victims of the state’s catastrophic floods.
The Fourth of July flash flood — which killed more than 100 people, including dozens of children from the all-girls Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River — is the deadliest rain-driven flash flood in the U.S. since Colorado’s 1976 Big Thompson Canyon disaster, which killed 144. The river surged nearly 30 feet in under an hour. At least 150 people remain missing.
Another storm early Saturday brought more devastation to Central Texas, killing at least 14 people in the Austin area.
“In heartfelt remembrance of those whose lives were tragically lost in the recent floods, I ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “Cecilia and I continue to pray for their loved ones as they grieve this unimaginable loss and urge all Texans to continue praying for all impacted by this devastation. Texas stands united in mourning and in our resolve to support those who strive to heal and recover.
“May God bring comfort to every family affected and strength to the thousands of first responders still working on the ground.”
When will flags return to full-staff?
Flags should be returned to full-staff at sunrise on Monday, July 14.
When are flags flown at half-staff?
There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the United States. That includes:
President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the proper times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die. That includes:
The president may also order the flag to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of other officials, former officials or foreign dignitaries, in addition to tragic events.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why are flags at half-staff? Abbott orders flags lowered to honor Texas flood victims
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
