Number of missing plummets to 3 in hard-hit Kerr County in wake of Texas floods
"Extensive follow-up work" and "extraordinary efforts" were credited with the reduction after 173 people statewide were reported missing amid floodwaters two stories deep, officials said in nearly identical statements from Kerr County and the city of Kerrville.
"This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of coordinated search and rescue operations, careful investigative work, and an unwavering commitment to bringing clarity and hope to families during an unimaginably difficult time," Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said in the statements.
Dozens upon dozens of people reported missing by loved ones were taken off a list of missing persons after their safety was verified, officials said.
"Many individuals who were initially reported as missing have been verified as safe and removed from the list," the city and county statements said. "This has been an ongoing effort as investigators worked diligently to verify reports of missing persons and confirm their status."
County officials did not immediately respond to a request for more information Saturday. It wasn't clear if any one factor, such as the return of cellphone service interrupted by the storm, may have been instrumental in locating those initially reported as missing.
Rapidly rising floodwaters in the early morning hours of July 4 swept through river-adjacent summer camp bungalows, washed cars off roadways and left some survivors clinging to trees.
A "flood wave" also swept down the Guadalupe River, rapidly increasing its depth and damaging structures along its banks. Federal weather data showed the Guadalupe, which runs through Kerville and Kerr County, rose 26 feet in 45 minutes.
At least 27 campers and staff members died at Camp Mystic, which was hosting more than 750 children when it was inundated by the sudden river flooding.
The process of warning residents is under scrutiny as the federal Integrated Public Alert & Warning System was not used to send Emergency Alert System texts to cellphone users in the region.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, earlier this week called for a formal investigation into the Department of Homeland Security's response to the flooding.
President Donald Trump toured flood-damaged Kerrville last week and defended the stance of his administration, saying the federal response was immediate. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was 'there right from the beginning,' the president said.
State and local officials have also had to grapple with criticism of the lack of timely alerts being sent to residents ahead of the floods.
'It happened so rapidly that nobody, nobody could have anticipated it,' Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told NBC News this week, arguing that the historic and overwhelming nature of the flooding could barely be avoided with the best warnings and forecasts.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
25 minutes ago
- CBS News
Severe storms possible in Southeast Michigan Thursday afternoon and evening
Thursday is a NEXT Weather Alert Day due to the extreme heat throughout Southeast Michigan. While temperatures are one part of the equation, high dew points are another. The dew points will reach into the 70s, making it feel "swampy" outside and allowing added energy to fuel storms. Storms are forecasted to reach Southeast Michigan between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday. Some of these storms could be strong to severe. Our greatest threat with these storms will be heavy rainfall in a short period of time followed by strong winds up to 60 mph. Secondary threats will include hail and isolated tornado chances. Showers and storms, along with heat and humidity, will continue into Friday and the weekend, but the risk of severe weather will be diminished. Stay tuned to your CBS News Detroit NEXT Weather Team for the latest information on air, online, or streaming on the CBS News Detroit app and Pluto TV.


CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Pittsburgh gets a return of hot and humid weather with storms closing out the week
Hot and humid weather is back today. Did you miss it? It's going to be around for a while with highs near 90° through at least Tuesday of next week. So if you want to impress friends and neighbors, here's a handy tip. WEATHER LINKS: Current Conditions | School Closings & Delays | Submit Your Weather Photos You can get a big tip on just how humid things are going to be by just looking at morning lows. The higher the humidity, the higher the dew point. The temperature can't fall below the dew point. So when we are humid, our morning temperatures are high. When more comfy air moves in, our morning temperatures can drop. So when checking out today's 7-day forecast, you can really see when the humid air will be in place. The other big story is a return of downpours and the risk of flash flooding that is coming our way, and arriving on Friday. Not everyone is going to see big rain totals, but those who do will have a chance for flash flooding. Any storms during the afternoon will bring frequent lightning and some gusty winds. Our severe weather chances right now look marginal at best, but can't be ruled out. When it comes to the forecast, highs today should hit the low 90s in most places. Rain chances should be enough to keep highs in the mid to upper 80s on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with morning lows in the mid to low 70s due to how humid it will be. Rain chances on each of those days will be isolated to scattered with downpours possible. Monday rain chances look to be in the isolated range, with scattered rain chances back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will return to be near or just below average the rest of next week. Stay up to date with the KDKA Mobile App – which you can download here!
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
What is the most popular time of year to get married in Oklahoma? See why brides love it
One of the first decisions newly-engaged couples make is the date of their upcoming nuptials. It's a personal choice for everyone — maybe you've always dreamed of a June wedding, or saying "I do" with crisp fall foliage in the background. But while everyone has different reasons for getting married when they do, there are some months and seasons that are more popular than others. For Oklahoma, this rings true. Here's the most popular month and time of year to get married in the Sooner State, and why. What is the most popular month to get married in Oklahoma? June and September are the most popular months to get married in Oklahoma, according to Wedding Wire. Meanwhile, the most popular month to get married across the nation was October, which held steady between 2017 and 2020, according to the 2020 Wedding Wire Newlywed Report. According to a blog post from Westwood Barn, a wedding venue in Guthrie, "fall is arguably the most popular season for Oklahoma weddings." Rose Briar Place, a popular wedding venue in Oklahoma City, agrees that fall is the most popular time to get married in Oklahoma. This means it's important to book your wedding venue and vendors early. According to a Tulsa-based photographer, Resolusean, the best "month" to get married in Oklahoma is actually Oct. 20 through Nov. 10, when accounting for temperature, weather, travel conditions and the environment. Why do Oklahomans choose to get married in the fall? So, why are the fall months of September, October and November so popular for Oklahomans getting married? According to Westwood Barn, some perks to getting married during the Oklahoma fall season include the typically mild weather and changing foliage. Resolusean also points out that the fall season has some of the lowest chances of severe weather, be it tornadoes or ice and snow. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Which months are the most popular to get married in Oklahoma? See why Solve the daily Crossword