Floodwaters across the state have severely damaged or destroyed 1,000 homes, and that number is likely to rise, state officials said Thursday.

Storms have pounded the state since May 23, causing widespread rainfall and flooding that's been blamed for at least 11 deaths over the past 2 1/2 weeks. The cost of the property damage has not yet been assessed, said Jack Colley, chief of the state's Division of Emergency Management.

With more rain expected through much of the state Thursday, emergency officials were braced for even more damage. Colley said the state has already mobilized its largest ever flood response efforts of search and rescue teams and aid for flood damaged areas.

Officials at the Emergency Operations Center say the danger is definitely not over. They say even as little as an inch of rain could cause significant devastation across the state.

The State Emergency Operations Center is the nerve center of the flooding response and recovery effort across Texas. Numerous agencies have staff members working at the center, coordinating evacuations, search and rescue operations and making sure residents who have been flooded out have food, water and diapers.

Assistance has come from government agencies helping in search and rescue and cleanup operations, as well as private charities such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army operating shelters and feeding centers.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

A Haltom City man checks his eroding back yard Tuesday after heavy rains filled the creek running behind his home.

Recent storms have impacted 49 counties -- 48,000 square miles from North Texas to the Rio Grande Valley, a section roughly the size of the state of Mississippi.

Officials say every reservoir and river basin in Texas is at or above flood stage, so if there is more rain, there is no place left for the water to go. That means additional storms could be catastrophic for some areas.

State officials meeting Thursday said they expect major flooding along parts of the Nueces River. The Trinity, Sabine and Brazos rivers are still rising

"It's been an unprecedented rain event in Texas for this time of year," said Jack Colley, chief of Emergency Management Center. "Most of the time this year we're fighting wildfires, we're not fighting floods in terms of what we're doing -- 44 days of continuous flood operations in Texas."

Governor Rick Perry Thursday activated additional Texas military forces resource to help flooded residents. More than 250 soldiers and 71 high-profile vehicles have been deployed throughout the state.

“Rather than celebrating Independence Day at backyard barbeques with families and friends, many Texans spent the Fourth of July holiday battling the dangerous weather events that continue to impact their communities,” Perry said in a news release. “We will continue to help local communities respond to emergencies and recover from the heavy storms and rains that have saturated a large part of our state and we will make sure the necessary resources are in place if the situation worsens.”

Perry issued a state disaster declaration for 44 counties in June, including Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, Travis and Williamson counties.