Central Texas Flooding Update

WIMBERLEY, Texas (AP) _ Officials are dealing with the scope of tree damage after the Blanco River flooded over Memorial Day weekend in Central Texas.

Paul Johnson with the Texas A&M Forest Service says as many as 12,000 trees were damaged or destroyed in the flood between Blanco and San Marcos. He said bald cypresses were the most common type of tree that was damaged.

The Austin American-Statesman (http://atxne.ws/1ddUYKO ) reports forestry experts are trying to get the word out about the proper disposal of dead or damaged trees.

Susan Nenney, a Hays County master naturalist, says homeowners should leave downed trees by the river where they are because they are helpful for holding soil in place. She says they will serve as nurseries for new plants to come back and help stabilize the river.

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JOHNSON CITY, Texas (AP) _ Authorities have found safe a man reported as missing from the Central Texas floods.

A statement issued by Blanco County officials say Bruce Conklin was the final person to be accounted for from its list of flood-related missing persons.

The statement does not specify where Conklin was found Tuesday afternoon. The county statement says that of 18 persons reported missing in Blanco County after the flood, 15 were found safe while three were found dead.

Earlier Tuesday, Hays County officials used medical and dental records to identify 81-year-old Kenneth Reissig, whose body was found Thursday close to the Blanco River near the line separating Blanco and Hays counties.

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