Just three people now missing after deadly July 4 floods in Texas, days after 100 were still feared lost
'This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of co-ordinated 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.
The previously announced death toll of 107 in Kerr County stayed unchallenged for much of last week even as the intensive search continued.
The flash floods killed at least 135 people in Texas over the July 4 weekend, with most deaths along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, about 100km north-west of San Antonio.
Just before daybreak on July 4, the destructive, fast-moving waters rose eight metres on the Guadalupe, washing away homes and vehicles.
The floods laid waste to the Hill Country, a popular tourist destination where campers seek out spots along the river amid the rolling landscape. It is prone to flash flooding as its dry, dirt-packed soil cannot soak up heavy rain.
Holiday cabins, youth camps and campgrounds fill the riverbanks and hills of Kerr County, including Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls.
Located in a low-lying area of a region known as 'flash flood alley', Camp Mystic lost at least 27 of its campers and counsellors.
The flooding was far more severe than the 100-year event envisioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), experts said, and it moved so quickly in the middle of the night that it caught many off guard in a county that lacked a warning system.
Crews have been using helicopters, boats and drones to search for victims. Earlier efforts were hampered by rain forecasts, leading some crews to hold off or stop because of worries about more flooding.
In Kerrville, about 140km west of Austin, local officials have come under scrutiny over whether residents were adequately warned about the rising waters.
US president Donald Trump and Texas governor Greg Abbott have pushed back aggressively against questions about how well local authorities responded to forecasts of heavy rain and the first reports of flash flooding.
Mr Trump called a reporter 'evil' for raising such issues, and said he thought 'everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances'.
Mr Abbott dismissed a question about who was to blame for the deaths as 'the word choice of losers' and used an analogy that began: 'Every football team makes mistakes. The way winners talk is not to point fingers.'
He has designated bills dealing with early warning systems and emergency communications as priorities for the Texas legislature's special session, which starts today and is scheduled to last up to 30 days.
Meanwhile, Congress and the Senate have formed special committees on flooding and disaster preparedness, and they are planning a July 31 visit to Kerrville – the seat of hardest-hit Kerr County – to hear from residents.
The committees are scheduled to begin with a joint hearing on Wednesday to consider the state's response to the fatal floods, planning for floods, infrastructure for managing floods, and communications among first responders.
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Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Just three people now missing after deadly July 4 floods in Texas, days after 100 were still feared lost
They have praised rescuers for the sharp reduction in the number of people on the missing list in Kerr County since July 4. 'This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of co-ordinated 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. The previously announced death toll of 107 in Kerr County stayed unchallenged for much of last week even as the intensive search continued. The flash floods killed at least 135 people in Texas over the July 4 weekend, with most deaths along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, about 100km north-west of San Antonio. Just before daybreak on July 4, the destructive, fast-moving waters rose eight metres on the Guadalupe, washing away homes and vehicles. The floods laid waste to the Hill Country, a popular tourist destination where campers seek out spots along the river amid the rolling landscape. It is prone to flash flooding as its dry, dirt-packed soil cannot soak up heavy rain. Holiday cabins, youth camps and campgrounds fill the riverbanks and hills of Kerr County, including Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. Located in a low-lying area of a region known as 'flash flood alley', Camp Mystic lost at least 27 of its campers and counsellors. The flooding was far more severe than the 100-year event envisioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), experts said, and it moved so quickly in the middle of the night that it caught many off guard in a county that lacked a warning system. Crews have been using helicopters, boats and drones to search for victims. Earlier efforts were hampered by rain forecasts, leading some crews to hold off or stop because of worries about more flooding. In Kerrville, about 140km west of Austin, local officials have come under scrutiny over whether residents were adequately warned about the rising waters. US president Donald Trump and Texas governor Greg Abbott have pushed back aggressively against questions about how well local authorities responded to forecasts of heavy rain and the first reports of flash flooding. Mr Trump called a reporter 'evil' for raising such issues, and said he thought 'everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances'. Mr Abbott dismissed a question about who was to blame for the deaths as 'the word choice of losers' and used an analogy that began: 'Every football team makes mistakes. The way winners talk is not to point fingers.' He has designated bills dealing with early warning systems and emergency communications as priorities for the Texas legislature's special session, which starts today and is scheduled to last up to 30 days. Meanwhile, Congress and the Senate have formed special committees on flooding and disaster preparedness, and they are planning a July 31 visit to Kerrville – the seat of hardest-hit Kerr County – to hear from residents. The committees are scheduled to begin with a joint hearing on Wednesday to consider the state's response to the fatal floods, planning for floods, infrastructure for managing floods, and communications among first responders.
Irish Examiner
13-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Emergency crews suspend search for Texas flooding victims amid new rain warnings
Emergency crews suspended their search for victims of catastrophic flooding in Texas amid new warnings that additional rain would again cause waterways to surge. It was the first time a new round of severe weather has paused the search since the flooding earlier this month. Ingram Fire Department officials ordered search crews to immediately evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor in Kerr County until further notice on Sunday, warning the potential for a flash flood is high. Search and rescue teams comb the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area in Kerrville, Texas (Eric Gay/AP) Search-and-rescue teams have been searching for missing victims of the July 4 weekend flooding. Search and rescue efforts were expected to resume on Monday, depending on river flow, fire department spokesman Brian Lochte said. 'We're working with a few crews and airboats and SAR (search-and-rescue) boats just in case,' Mr Lochte said. As heavy rain fell on Sunday, National Weather Service forecasters warned that the Guadalupe River could rise to nearly 15 feet (4.6 meters) by Sunday afternoon, about five feet above flood stage and enough to put the Highway 39 bridge near Hunt under water. 'Numerous secondary roads and bridges are flooded and very dangerous,' a weather service warning said. The destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (eight meters) on the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes before daybreak on July 4, washing away homes and vehicles. A visitor views a memorial wall for flood victims in Kerrville, Texas (Eric Gay/AP) Ever since, searchers have used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue people stranded in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads. The floods laid waste to the Hill Country region of Texas. The riverbanks and hills of Kerr County are filled with vacation cabins, youth camps and campgrounds, including Camp Mystic, the century-old all-girls Christian summer camp. Located in a low-lying area along the Guadalupe River in a region known as flash flood alley, Camp Mystic lost at least 27 campers and counsellors as well as owner Dick Eastland. The flood was far more severe than the 100-year event envisioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, experts said, and moved so quickly in the middle of the night that it caught many off guard in a county that lacked a warning system.
Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Irish Times
Trump sees devastation from Texas floods in visit to state
US president Donald Trump in Texas on Friday viewed firsthand the devastation left by extreme flooding that killed at least 120 people and left scores still missing in the state's Hill Country region, seeking to reassure residents of the federal response to the disaster. The president met with local officials and emergency workers in hard-hit Kerr County, where he received a briefing, accompanied on his visit by first lady Melania Trump and Texas governor Greg Abbott. Mr Trump surveyed the damage in a helicopter flight and then was shown what appeared to be a map of the flood-damaged area. The scale of the destruction was evident — with Mr Trump and the first lady standing in front of an overturned tractor trailer and amid downed trees, a testament to the force of the deadly, ravaging floodwaters which tore through the community. 'It's a horrible thing, a horrible thing. Nobody can even believe it, such a thing — that much water, that fast,' Mr Trump told reporters earlier Friday as he left Washington. 'We're going to be there with some of the great families and others, the governor, everybody.' READ MORE US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump sit with Texas governor Greg Abbott as they attend a roundtable meeting with local officials and first responders at the Happy State Bank Expo Hall in Kerrville, Texas, on Friday. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP The deaths from the disaster include children who had been attending a girls' summer camp located near the Guadalupe River, where high waters swept away cabins, bridges and roads. Camp Mystic said it had lost 27 campers and counselors in the deluge. [ Texas flooding disaster reveals America's frightening weather and deep political divisions Opens in new window ] Officials in Kerr County, where the bulk of the deaths occurred, say the dead included 36 children and 60 adults. Around 160 people remain missing. The statewide death toll is expected to mount as rescuers continue to search through debris for those missing. Local, state and federal officials have been under intense scrutiny in the days following the flash flood over their initial response, particularly over how a county prone to floods lacked warning sirens and whether forecasts were accurately conveyed to local residents in a timely manner. Some Democrats have also raised questions about what impact the Trump administration's federal staffing cuts, including to the National Weather Service, may have had in the disaster. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier this week denounced the criticism as 'depraved and despicable,' and said the National Weather Service 'provided early and consistent warnings.' The White House has maintained the cuts to the workforce did not affect the response to the flash flood. [ A rescuer's tale at Camp Mystic, Texas: terrified girls, helicopters and a harrowing scene Opens in new window ] Mr Trump signed a disaster declaration on Sunday for Kerr County. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said the US Coast Guard had been deployed to assist in search and rescue efforts and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent resources to assist first responders in the state. Ms Noem visited the state on Saturday and appeared alongside Mr Abbott. Mr Abbott has called a special legislative session and several agenda items are related to the floods, including flood warning systems and natural disaster preparedness. Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick said the state would pay for warning sirens in rural districts that can't afford them. In an telephone interview with NBC News released on Thursday night, Mr Trump said 'after seeing this horrible event, I would imagine you'd put alarms up in some form.' - Bloomberg
