5 Camp Mystic girls remain missing as Kerr County death toll hits 87
Five girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing, the officials said.
The big picture: A massive recovery effort continues in Kerr County, about an hour drive from San Antonio, as the number of people killed in floods across Central Texas surpassed 100.
Zoom in: Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said in a press conference that 30 children were among the dead.
Authorities still don't know how many others from outside the summer camp are missing in Kerr County. Hundreds of rescuers are still searching for bodies.
State authorities have performed 444 rescues so far.
Catch up quick: The flooding happened early Friday. Meteorologists say forecasting models struggled to pinpoint where and when the heaviest rain would fall, and there is no warning system in Kerr County.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Texas Officials Avoid Questions On Flood Response
Kerr County officials Tuesday appeared to dodge questions about how soon they were notified about deadly flash floods in central Texas and who was responsible for immediate response efforts, as law enforcement warned the death toll from the flooding will likely rise. The Kerr County judge said a warning system was not in place before flash floods killed more than ... More 100 people. Getty Images Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, responding to a question about how county residents were alerted about the flash floods, said a timeline about the alerts is 'not my priority at this time,' adding, 'There are three priorities. That's locating the people out there, identifying, notifying the next of kin—that is what I'm taking as my job as sheriff.' Lt. Col. Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens, the state's parks and wildlife department, deflected other questions about how quickly Kerr County officials responded to the flash flooding, saying officials were 'focused on bringing people home.' Leitha said he was not notified about flash floods until sometime between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. CDT on July 4, about three hours after the National Weather Service's first public warning alert. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is holding a press conference this afternoon covering the flash floods, while Kerr County officials are scheduled to host a briefing at 6 p.m. EDT. How Soon Was Texas Alerted About Flash Floods? The National Weather Service said in a statement that flash flood warnings were issued that gave 'preliminary lead times of more than three hours.' Later alerts reportedly warned of a 'life-threatening situation' in central Texas. On July 4, the agency said flash flooding was 'likely' in the region, with 'significant impacts possible' as up to six inches of rain was forecast in some areas. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said Friday 'no one knew this kind of flood was coming' and the county 'had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here.' Despite suggesting officials were caught off guard, Kelly said Kerr County does not have a warning system and he 'can't answer' why evacuations weren't carried out. Key Background At least 108 people have died after flash flooding in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, according to Kerr County officials. Of those, Leitha said 87 were recovered in Kerr County, including 30 children. Some campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp by the Guadalupe River, are still missing, Leitha said. Debate over the region's response to the flooding, described by the White House as a 'once-in-a-generation natural disaster,' has ensued in recent days. Texas Division of Emergency Management chief W. Nim Kidd said Friday early National Weather Service forecasts 'did not predict the amount of rain that we saw.' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem applauded the agency, though she noted President Donald Trump wanted to improve its 'ancient' warning system. Forbes Was Texas Warned Of Flooding Properly? Here's What We Know By Zachary Folk Forbes Texas Flood Live Updates: White House Says Blaming Trump For Flooding A 'Depraved Lie' As Death Toll Reaches 104 By Antonio Pequeño IV
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Does your insurance cover flooding? How to file a claim after devastating Texas floods
As of Monday, officials report that at least 81 people have lost their lives due to the flash floods that swept through Central Texas. Among the victims are at least 28 children from Kerr County. With people still unaccounted for, Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that flash flooding remains a serious threat across parts of Texas, as additional rainfall is expected in several regions Monday. Authorities have urged residents of Hunt, a community in Kerr County, to seek higher ground this afternoon due to the risk of further flooding. On Sunday, President Trump announced that he signed a "Major Disaster Declaration' for relief for Kerr County in Texas, as the region deals with heavy rains and extreme flooding that have killed dozens. As residents come to terms with the aftermath of the flooding, here's what to know about relief and insurance claims: In response to the devastating floods that struck Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, various relief options are available to assist affected individuals and communities. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): HHSC coordinates efforts to provide information and help to Texans during disasters. This includes assistance with food benefits (such as SNAP), health care services, and housing support. More information is available at HHSC Disaster Assistance. Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): TDEM supports plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters. They provide assistance to individuals, communities, and businesses affected by disasters. More information can be found at Texas Flood Recovery. Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: Operated by The Community Foundation, this fund supports local rescue and recovery efforts in affected towns like Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort. Central Texas Small Business Relief Fund: Launched by the Maestro Entrepreneur Center, this fund supports businesses affected by recent flooding in the Hill Country area. It aims to assist with urgent repairs, replacement of damaged equipment and supplies, and day-to-day operational expenses necessary for reopening. Texas Flood Information Clearinghouse: State agencies administer flood financial assistance programs, providing a "one-stop-shop" for information on flood mitigation funding opportunities for Texas' communities. Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA): Provides disaster relief resources for individuals and families, including housing assistance and information on available programs. If you have flood insurance — either through your home insurance provider or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — it's crucial to file a claim promptly. Typically, claims must be submitted within 60 days of the flooding event. If you're having trouble contacting your insurer, the Texas Department of Insurance recommends calling 1-800-252-3439 for help. Even without insurance, you may still be eligible for federal disaster assistance. All impacted residents are urged to thoroughly document their property damage using photos and videos. While it's important to begin cleanup, the state recommends holding off on discarding damaged items until you've consulted with your insurance adjuster. It's also important to note that FEMA aid is generally only available in areas formally designated as disaster zones by the president. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Texas Hill Country, including areas like Kerrville and San Antonio, due to ongoing heavy rainfall. Forecasts predict additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 10 inches. This excessive rainfall poses a risk of flash flooding in low-lying regions, rivers, creeks, and low water crossings. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Does your insurance cover Texas flooding? How to file a claim
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Texas floods update: Threat of flash flooding continues on Monday as death toll climbs
A flood watch continues to be in effect on Monday for the Texas Hill Country, an area where at least 90 people have died after unrelenting storms hit on July 4. The National Weather Service warned that the threat of flash flooding remains across Central Texas as slow-moving heavy rains continue overnight and through the day on Monday, July 7. The area could see two to four inches of additional rainfall, with isolated amounts of 10 inches possible. Additional heavy rainfall over the past few days in the hardest-hit areas could lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding. At least 27 children and counselors from Camp Mystic, a well-known all-girls summer camp in Kerr County, were among the dead after severe flooding swept through the area. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said during a Monday news conference that 10 girls and one counselor remain missing. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact locations where isolated heavier amounts of rainfall will occur, the National Weather Service said. At least 81 people have died in the flooding since Friday, officials said. 68 people, including 40 adults and 28 children died in Kerr County. An all-girls summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, said was grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to continue searching for those who are still unaccounted for. "We will remain 100% dedicated, searching for every single one of the children who were at Camp Mystic as well as anybody else in the entire riverbed," Abbott said in a news conference Sunday. "We are working as swiftly as possible." Abbott also warned Texans to stay vigilant ahead of more storms. "The next 2 days could pose public safety threats due to heavy rain. It's crucial that Texans remain vigilant," Abbott posted on Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, rain chances in Central Texas will decrease gradually on Tuesday, July 8, paving the way for drier and warmer conditions for the rest of the week. On July 4, rain was falling at 3-4 inches per hour, with some locations recording a deluge of up to seven inches of rain in just three hours, the National Weather Service said. Seven inches of rain is nearly 122 million gallons of water per square mile. The Kerrville area registered more than 11 inches of rain in the past three days. The Guadalupe River rose from less than a foot on July 3 to more than 34 feet in Kerrville by 6:45 a.m. on July 4. Other towns between San Antonio and Austin had nearly double the totals of Kerrville. Three rain gauges north of Austin registered more than 20 inches of rain between the mornings of July 3 and July 6. Twelve others showed more than 15 inches. Portions of at least four cities in the region took on more than 10 inches of rain during the Independence Day weekend: Liberty Hill, 20.6; Lakeway, 13.5; Kerrville, 11.9; and Leander 10.5. At least 90 people have died in the flooding since Friday, officials said. Below are the latest numbers of reported fatalities from state and local officials across Central Texas. Kerr County – 75 deaths Travis County – 7 deaths Burnet County – 3 deaths Kendall County – 2 deaths Williamson County - 2 deaths Tom Green County – 1 death The Guadalupe River begins in Texas Hill Country and flows for over 400 miles until it empties into San Antonio Bay at the Gulf of Mexico. USA Today contributed to this story. Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@ @NatassiaPaloma on X; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Latest Texas flood news: Threat of flash flooding continues on Monday
