Searches Enter Third Day as 70 Dead in Central Texas Floods
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Hundreds of first responders continue to comb through the Hill Country region of Texas for a third straight day after fatal flash floods swept through the region early Friday, killing nearly 70 people, with dozens still missing.
Why It Matters
Fast-moving floodwaters surged 26 feet along the Guadalupe River before dawn on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles in Texas Hill Country.
The high-volume rainfall has killed dozens of people, while others remain missing and displaced. More than 850 people have been rescued in the last 36 hours, with search crews using helicopters, boats, and drones to locate victims and rescue people stranded in trees and isolated camps.
The National Weather Service has activated several flood warnings across Texas, many of which are expected to last until at least Monday morning. Flooding is the second deadliest weather hazard in the United States after extreme heat, with most fatalities occurring when vehicles are swept away by rising waters.
Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6 in Hunt, Texas.
Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6 in Hunt, Texas.What To Know
In a Sunday update, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office noted that hundreds of local, state, and national, first responders are carrying out search efforts via ground, air, and water.
"At present, there are over 400 first responders from more than 20 agencies at work in Kerr County. We have more than a dozen K9 units working in and near the river," the office wrote in a Facebook post Sunday morning.
Kerr County is home to Kerrville, which was hit hardest by the floods, with local officials confirming 59 people died in the county from the floods.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a Saturday press conference, "We will be relentless in going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who's been a victim of this flooding event. We're not going to stop today or tomorrow. This is a 24/7 operation, looking for Texans and Americans."
He vowed to "find every one of them."
The state has deployed more than 1,300 personnel, and more than 900 vehicles and equipment assets in the search efforts. More than 15 state agencies are currently responding to flooding threats across the state, according to the governor's website.
President Donald Trump issued a "Major Disaster Declaration" for the region, providing first responders access to more resources to continue their recovery efforts. In his social media post about the matter, he noted the Coast Guard's role in saving hundreds of people's lives in the region.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a CNN interview Sunday: "I know they're still searching for a lot of people, so we need to make sure that those in the boats and those in the helicopters have an unobstructed way to get to these places."
Representative Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat, told CNN on Sunday: "Obviously the priority is on making sure that those girls are found and are saved —and anybody else who may be missing at this point—and then I think after that, we have to figure out in the future how we make sure that it doesn't happen again."
President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday: "I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need. These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing. The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders."
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Sunday: "It's a very sad time, but we have seen remarkable heroism from our first responders & volunteers. As rescue efforts continue, Texans remain unified in prayer."
What Happens Next?
Abbott will hold a press briefing about the state's response to the flooding at 2:30 p.m. local time on Sunday. The press conference will be livestreamed on Facebook on the Texas Division of Emergency Management's page.
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