The state leaves building zoning and permits up to the individual counties. And in most non-city counties, such as Kerr, which had 96 deaths as of Thursday due to floods, some officials tend to be lenient towards building owners with restrictions, some state leaders and environmental experts told ABC News.

At least 119 people have been found dead in nearly a week since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the river and flowed through homes and youth camps in the early morning hours of July 4. Ninety-five of those killed were in the hardest-hit county in central Texas,

Nearly a week after deadly floods struck Central Texas, search and rescue teams are continuing to probe debris for those still missing.

Follow for live updates in the Texas flooding as the death toll rises to 120, as rescue operations start to shift to recovery phase

Eight-year-old girls at sleep-away camp, families crammed into recreational vehicles, local residents traveling to or from work. These are some of the victims.

Over just two hours, the Guadalupe River at Comfort, Texas, rose from hip-height to three stories tall, sending water weighing as much as the Empire State building downstream roughly every minute it remained at its crest. The force of floodwater is often more powerful and surprising than people imagine.

The president also confirmed that he plans to visit Texas to tour the devastation on Friday with First Lady Melania Trump.

Follow for live updates in the Texas flooding as more than 173 are missing as rescuers continue a desperate search

The grim undertaking has prompted questions about how first responders and rescue teams are able to mentally reckon with the work ahead.

At least 119 people have been killed in catastrophic flash flooding across Texas, while at least 172 remain missing. Here’s what we know about the Central Texas flooding victims Deaths have been confirmed in six counties,