KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — In a Texas hill country community ravaged by devastating flooding on July 4, officials announced on Saturday that only three individuals remain missing, a significant decrease from nearly 100. This update follows efforts to account for many people previously reported as missing after the disastrous event.
The reduction in the missing persons list marks a notable improvement as the search for victims enters its third week, dropping from over 160 individuals previously reported unaccounted for in Kerr County alone. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice highlighted the remarkable progress in a public statement, attributing it to the coordinated search and rescue operations alongside careful investigative work aimed at providing clarity and hope to affected families during an incredibly challenging time.
The death toll in Kerr County, which stands at 107, has remained stable throughout the week despite ongoing intensive search efforts. In total, the flash floods in Texas have claimed at least 135 lives over the holiday weekend, with the majority of fatalities occurring along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, located about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of San Antonio.
Just before dawn on July 4, rapidly rising waters on the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet (8 meters), resulting in the destruction of homes and vehicles. The flooding decimated the Hill Country, a well-known tourist destination where visitors often flock to the river's scenic spots. This area is particularly susceptible to flash flooding due to its dry, dirt-packed soil, which fails to absorb heavy rainfall effectively.
Vacation cabins and youth camps, including notable sites like Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer camp for girls, populate the riverbanks and hills of Kerr County. Camp Mystic, located in a low-lying region known as "flash flood alley," tragically lost at least 27 campers and counselors to the floods.
Experts have stated that the flooding exceeded the severity of a 100-year event anticipated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The water surged with such speed in the early hours that many residents were caught off guard, resulting in intense scrutiny of local officials regarding their warnings about the rising waters. Questions have been raised about the adequacy of the warnings issued to residents in Kerr County.
In light of the widespread criticism, President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have strongly defended the actions of local authorities concerning the predictive capabilities for the severe weather and initial reports of flash floods.
Rescue crews have been actively searching for victims using a range of equipment, including helicopters, boats, and drones. Their efforts earlier faced setbacks due to rain forecasts, prompting some teams to hold off or cease operations due to concerns over further flooding conditions.
