Live updates: Texas flooding death toll, Trump visit and latest on Camp Mystic

CNN

11-07-2025

Update:
Date: 9 min ago
Title: Kerr County officials warned of flood risk and need for alarm system months before tragedy struck
Content:
Kerr County officials warned 'it is likely' that the county 'will experience a flood event in the next year' in a hazard mitigation report submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last October.
The 220-page report, which addressed a range of natural threats, emphasized that such a flood event could be especially dangerous for residents living in 'substandard structures' and may result in 'increased damage, injuries, or loss of life.'
One of the solutions outlined was to have a local flood warning system that could alert residents to rising waters. The report estimates a cost of less than $1 million for a system that would include precipitation sensors, automatic crossing barriers and a web-based alert platform. Implementing the plan would take three to five years, according to the report, which also identifies FEMA programs for possible funding.
The plan also listed a goal in the next two to five years of expanding warning systems with possible sirens. Other recommendations include possible new restrictions on development in areas at high risk of flooding and educating the public about floods and other hazards.
Last week's catastrophic flooding has put fresh scrutiny on the systems in place to keep Kerr County residents safe in the event of flooding. In recent years, multiple efforts in Kerr County to build a more substantial flood warning system have failed or been abandoned due to budget concerns or noise complaints.
Update:
Date: 10 min ago
Title: Start here: The latest in Central Texas as Trump is expected to visit flood-damaged areas
Content:
As the urgent search of at least 160 missing people continues in the aftermath of the devastating flooding in Central Texas, concerns are growing over the systems meant to notify residents in emergency situations.
It comes as President Donald Trump will visit the region today.
Here's what we learned yesterday:
CNN's Ollie Leltsov, Danya Gainor, Casey Tolan, Curt Devine, Andrew Freedman, Melanie Hicken, Pamela Brown, Shoshana Dubnow, Karina Tsui, Tristen Rouse, Christine Server, Kathleen Magramo, Leigh Waldman and Joel Williams contributed reporting.
Update:
Date: 10 min ago
Title: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requests federal disaster assistance for more counties
Content:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to request additional counties be added to President Donald Trump's major disaster declaration following the flooding in central Texas.
'Five counties – Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson – are requested to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance programs, and four counties – Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba – are requested to be eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program,' the governor's office said in a statement yesterday.
On Sunday, Trump approved the governor's request for a major disaster declaration for Kerr County. The approval allows qualifying Texans who sustained damage to apply for grant funding to assist with repair and recovery expenses.