Texas floods leave only three missing, a significant decrease from a peak of 160.
The aftermath of the devastating floods that struck Texas over the July 4 weekend has seen the number of missing persons significantly decline, now standing at just three. This development follows extensive search and recovery operations undertaken by local, state, and federal agencies. Initially, more than 160 individuals were reported unaccounted for after torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to surge dramatically, with water levels rising 26 feet in less than an hour, leading to widespread destruction in the area.
The floods, which struck during the early morning hours, wreaked havoc on riverside properties, claiming homes, vehicles, and recreational sites, including a summer camp where 27 campers and counselors tragically lost their lives. The disaster has been particularly severe in Kerr County, which accounted for a substantial portion of the 135 fatalities officially recorded.
Officials from Kerrville have expressed profound gratitude to the more than 1,000 responders who participated in the recovery efforts. According to Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, the tireless work of these agencies has led to the significant reduction in the number of missing persons, from over 160 to three. The police and rescue teams have verified the safety of many individuals that were initially on the missing list, underscoring the efforts of local and national agencies.
Search operations continue as teams comb through the extensive wreckage of the Guadalupe River watershed. Their primary objective remains to reunite missing individuals with their families. Additionally, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Saturday the expansion of federal disaster assistance to include Hamilton and Travis counties, bringing the total number of counties eligible for such aid to 15. Hamilton County is strategically located between Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, while Travis County encompasses the city of Austin itself.
In a show of solidarity and support for affected communities, President Trump visited the disaster-stricken areas on July 11. The U.S. Congress has also convened committees to assess flooding responses and disaster preparedness, planning to hear directly from local residents regarding their experiences on July 31.
As ongoing efforts continue to address the devastation, both recovery and future preparedness remain central to the community’s resilience strategy amid the unprecedented impacts of natural disasters in the region.
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