Number of missing in hardest hit Texas flood region drops dramatically — as many have been found safe
Only three people remain unaccounted for in Kerr County – down sharply from 97 earlier this week – after deadly floodwaters tore through the Lone Star State on July 4.
'Through extensive follow-up work among state and local agencies, many individuals who were initially reported as missing have been verified as safe and removed from this list,' Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said in a statement.
Advertisement
3 The number of flood victims reported missing in Kerr County has plunged.
Getty Images
'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.'
About 160 people were unaccounted for in Kerr County alone at the height of the catastrophe.
Advertisement
Officials said search and rescue operations will continue across the Guadalupe River watershed for those still missing.
Kerr County was the epicenter of destruction when the Guadalupe River surged 20 feet in just 90 minutes during the early hours of the Fourth of July, killing 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp located on the river bank.
3 A man attempted to clear debris from the Guadalupe River following catastrophic floods.
REUTERS
3 Nearly 100 people were first reported missing during the catastrophic floods.
AP
Advertisement
In total, at least 135 people were killed statewide in the historic floods, with Kerr County accounting for about 107 of the deaths – including 70 adults and 37 children.
The disaster has since sparked scrutiny over the state's emergency response and warning systems as the deadly storm wreaked havoc.
The horrific flooding is one of the deadliest events for US children in the past 100 years.
With Post wires.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bulgarian authorities seize a large amount of cocaine hidden in a van
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian border authorities said Sunday they have seized one of the largest hauls of cocaine from a Belgian-plated van en route to Turkey. According to customs officials, the nearly 206 kilograms (453 pounds) of cocaine was the largest seizure at Bulgaria's land border. A vehicle inspection led to the discovery of the drugs valued at 20 million euros ($22 million). The drugs were hidden in 179 sealed bags stashed among personal belongings in five suitcases. Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov identified the three people attempting to cross the border into Turkey as a 40-year-old diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo accredited in Belgium, a 54-year-old Belgian citizen and a 43-year-old Bulgarian driver. Stoyanov told reporters that they could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on drug trafficking charges. An investigation has been launched together with partner organizations in other EU countries into the origins of the cocaine and its final recipients. Bulgaria, which has taken steps in recent years against drug trafficking, is considered a transit point on the Balkan drug-trafficking route, which is used to supply Western Europe with heroin from Asia and the Middle East, and with cocaine from Latin America.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Ukraine Launches Fresh Drone Attacks on Moscow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ukraine launched renewed attacks on the Russian capital overnight into Sunday, according to Russian and Ukrainian sources, after Moscow doubled down on missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. Why It Matters Kyiv has occasionally targeted Moscow with long-range drone strikes, and launched a string of attacks on the Russian capital in recent days. Russia has intensified its own aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital and many other regions of Ukraine in the past few weeks, despite U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and increasing frustration from U.S. President Donald Trump with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. What To Know Moscow mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said Russian air defenses had destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones over Moscow, then quickly said another seven had been intercepted. A general view shows Terminal C of Sheremetyevo International Airport outside Moscow, Russia on July 6, 2025. This image was provided to AP directly by a third party and could not be independently verified. A general view shows Terminal C of Sheremetyevo International Airport outside Moscow, Russia on July 6, 2025. This image was provided to AP directly by a third party and could not be independently verified. Alexey Filippov / Sputnik via AP Russia's Defense Ministry said in its own statement that Ukraine had launched 93 drones at Russia between 11:30 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and 7 a.m. local time on Sunday. A total of 19 Ukrainian drones flew over the broader Moscow region, with 16 heading directly for the Russian capital city, the Russian government said. The Defense Ministry later reported Ukraine had launched seven more drones over the Moscow region from just after 8 a.m. Moscow time to midday. A pro-Kremlin Telegram channel with purported links to Russian law enforcement reported a car "exploded after being hit by debris" from a Ukrainian drone in Zelenograd, on the northwestern edge of Moscow. The Baza Russian Telegram channel reported that debris from an intercepted drone had fallen on a multi-storey building in Zelenograd. Russian state media reported temporary restrictions were put in place at Sheremetyevo airport, east of Zelenograd, citing the country's federal air transport agency. Restrictions were also imposed on the Moscow airports of Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky, as well as Kaluga, southwest of Moscow, according to several Russian reports. A total of 134 flights were diverted over the weekend, a spokesperson for the Rosaviatsiya federal air transport agency said. "Moscow was attacked by UAVs [uncrewed aerial vehicles]," Andriy Kovalenko, an official with Ukraine's national security and defense council, said in a post to social media on Sunday. Kovalenko shared footage the Ukrainian official said showed passengers at Sheremetyevo, which Newsweek could not independently verify. Ukraine said on Sunday Russia had launched 57 drones at several regions of the war-torn country overnight, after reporting Moscow fired 344 drones at Ukraine into Saturday morning. Russia also used 12 short-range ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles from late on Friday into the early hours of Saturday, the Ukrainian air force said. U.S.-brokered efforts to push Moscow into a ceasefire deal have so far failed, and Trump told the BBC earlier this month he was "disappointed" in the Russian leader, but "not done with him." "We'll have a great conversation. I'll say: 'That's good, I'll think we're close to getting it done,' and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv," Trump said. The Republican greenlit further U.S. weapons support for Ukraine via NATO nations last week, and said Russia had 50 days to clinch a ceasefire deal or face tariffs. Moscow said Ukraine saw this as a "signal to continue the war" and abandon peace talks. Western leaders and Ukraine have repeatedly said Russia is stalling ceasefire negotiations. The Financial Times reported on Tuesday Trump had asked Zelensky during a phone call earlier in July whether Ukraine could strike Moscow or the city of St Petersburg, if the U.S. furnished Ukraine with long-range weapons. Trump publicly told reporters Ukraine "shouldn't target Moscow." White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, appeared to acknowledge the remarks but described them as "wildly out of context." "President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing," Leavitt said in a statement. "He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war." What People Are Saying Moscow mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said on Sunday there were "no serious injuries or casualties" after a Ukrainian drone targeted Zelenograd, on the outskirts of Moscow.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Virginia man who cheered ‘political assassinations' pleads guilty after 150 pipe bombs are seized from home
A Virginia man charged with stockpiling the largest number of finished explosives in FBI history and accused of making threatening comments about politicians has pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle and possession of unregistered destructive devices. Authorities seized around 150 pipe bombs and other explosive devices from Brad Spafford's home near Norfolk last fall, according to court documents. Spafford was also accused by prosecutors of using former President Joe Biden's photo for target practice, saying 'he believed political assassinations should be brought back' and telling someone shortly after President Donald Trump's assassination attempt, 'Bro, I hope the shooter doesn't miss Kamala,' according to an informant. The investigation into Spafford began in 2023, when the informant, who is in law enforcement, told authorities Spafford was stockpiling ammunition and weapons. Authorities found a highly unstable explosive material in a freezer next to frozen foods and more explosive material inside a backpack that said '#NoLivesMatter' while searching his home in December. Spafford has remained in custody since his arrest in December, when a judge ruled he had 'shown the capacity for extreme danger.' He originally pleaded not guilty in January, and his defense argued he should be released because he had a steady job and no criminal record. Federal agents seized a stockpile of homemade explosives in Brad Spafford's home. AP This image provided by U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia shows a rifle seized when they arrested Spafford. AP Spafford, who is married with two young daughters, lost three fingers in a homemade explosives accident in 2021, the judge noted. Spafford could face 10 years in prison on each charge and is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
