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Axios
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Number missing in Texas floods drops from 97 to 3, Kerr County officials say
The number of people missing in Texas' catastrophic flooding has fallen to three from 160 in the immediate aftermath of the extreme weather event, said Kerr County officials as the search enters a third week. The big picture: The July 4 flooding killed at least 135 people — with 107 fatalities occurring in Kerr County, including children at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The last missing persons count six days ago was 97. Zoom in: Officials did not immediately detail what accounted for the considerable drop, though Kerrville Police Department's Jonathan Lamb said in a Sunday statement: "This process takes time, but is essential to ensure that every lead is thoroughly followed and each person is properly accounted for." The Kerrville Police Department noted a Saturday Facebook post, "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 the list." What's next: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called a special legislative session on the tragedy that will convene in Austin, starting Monday. "A select committee is expected to conduct a hearing in Kerr County on July 31," according to a Sunday post on the county's Facebook page. What we're watching: "While the updated figure offers some relief, searchers remain focused on reuniting the three individuals who are still unaccounted for with their families," per Lamb's statement. "State and local officials continue to work with urgency and care to locate them, while supporting affected communities through the ongoing recovery process." Between the lines: Scientists say the record rainfall event that triggered the flooding underscores how climate change can make extreme precipitation events even worse.
Boston Globe
21-07-2025
- Boston Globe
Number of missing from floods in Texas county drops from nearly 100 to 3
'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,' said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice. Numbers of those missing in natural disasters are often fluid and can decline dramatically. Overwhelmed local officials can struggle to obtain an accurate count, especially when those missing involve visitors to the affected region or people without stable housing. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Some of those initially described as unaccounted for in Kerr County — the county most impacted by the deadly flooding on July 4 — did not live in the area but had traveled there for the holiday weekend. Advertisement That so many had remained missing more than two weeks after the devastating flooding deepened the horror of the tragedy, which left at least 135 people dead, dozens of them children. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has pledged to continue the search until every person is found. 'Our thoughts remain with the families still awaiting news, and we will continue to stand with them as efforts persist,' Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said Saturday. Advertisement On Monday, the Texas legislature is expected to convene in Austin for a special session in which lawmakers will discuss the catastrophic flooding. State legislative leaders have formed committees to examine flood warning systems, relief efforts, and disaster preparedness. They plan to hold a hearing in Kerrville on July 31. Jonathan Lamb, spokesman for the Kerrville Police Department, said in a statement Sunday that investigators had engaged in an 'exhaustive effort to verify the status of each individual who was reported missing,' narrowing hundreds of names down to three. 'This process takes time, but it is essential to ensure that every lead is thoroughly followed and each person is properly accounted for,' Lamb said. When flash floods surge through rural areas with rugged terrain, it can take days or even weeks to locate missing people and uncover the bodies of those who were washed away. After Hurricane Helene slammed into western North Carolina in September, the American Red Cross received more than 9,000 reunification requests from family members seeking loved ones. The vast majority were ultimately discovered trapped in isolated locations or lost in the shuffle at shelters, and within a few weeks, the number of people unaccounted for dropped from the thousands to the single digits. The force of the flood waters also complicated the search: The body of one man reported missing from a campground in North Carolina was found six months later at a spot about 12 miles away. At least two other women from the state still have not been found. A similar dynamic unfolded after the devastating 2023 wildfire in Maui, which killed 102 people. More than 1,000 others were initially unaccounted for a week later. A month after the fire, the figure dropped from 385 to 66. Two people remain missing. Advertisement For weeks, more than 1,000 local, state, and federal responders, along with thousands of volunteers, have combed 60 miles of the Guadalupe River through communities in Kerr County and farther south. As hope of finding survivors faded, the massive effort essentially became a search for remains. For those whose loved ones disappeared in the flood waters, the agonizing wait goes on. Sherry McCutcheon, 66, works for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Her mother and one of her brothers died when the rising waters overtook their home in Leander, about 25 miles north of Austin, she said. Another brother, Gary Traugott, 60, remains missing. Frustrated by the lack of information from local officials, McCutcheon and her neighbors compiled their own list of the missing, which they posted on Facebook. Most were found dead; seven were found safe. Three remained missing Sunday, including Traugott. On Friday, McCutcheon was at a funeral home planning the burial services for her mother and brother when officials called to say that a body had been found under a washed-out bridge. On Sunday, McCutcheon was awaiting the results of DNA tests to see whether it was her brother Gary. 'If this person isn't Gary, I don't know what we're going to do,' she said. Some living near the Guadalupe said they feared the true number of the dead and missing would never be known. Lorena Guillen, who owns Blue Oak RV Park in Kerrville, said she had heard there were Honduran and Mexican undocumented immigrants who were afraid to report the missing for fear of being apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 'There's a whole underground community here,' Guillen said. Advertisement Kevin LaFond, southern region commander for United Cajun Navy volunteers, said it wasn't clear why the number of missing dropped so quickly in Kerr County, adding that his team was still working to search more inaccessible areas devastated by the floods. 'It's hard to have any confidence in a number until those areas are reached,' LaFond said. 'The numbers have fluctuated since the beginning, and probably are going to fluctuate at the end.'
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Fatal flood warning issued for same Texas area where 129 people died last week
More flash flooding has hit Texas, leading to another fatal flood warning for the county plagued by floodwaters from the Guadalupe River last week. Exhausted volunteers were still trying to find dead bodies wiped out by the disaster in Sunday when they were told to evacuate via the new alert. It warned how heavy rains seen during the day would once again cause waterways to surge for many. Affected areas include hard-hit Kerr County and other areas around Texas's Hill Country. People there are already seeing river levels rising, with storms set to bring as much as 6 to 10 inches of rain. Areas upstream the Guadalupe are now evacuating, with search and rescue missions called off until Monday. the Kerrville Police Department issued the order about 8 am local time, saying, 'All search crews need to evacuate the river corridor until further notice.' 'Any volunteer search parties in the Guadalupe River corridor need to heed this warning. The potential for a flash flood is high,' the alert added. At least 129 people have already been confirmed dead following last week's flooding. Exhausted volunteers were still trying to find dead bodies wiped out by the disaster in Sunday when they were told to evacuate via the new alert, seen here. City officials said that there is a high probability of the Guadalupe River at Hunt reaching flood stage once again City officials in Kerrville said there is a 'high probability' of the Guadalupe River at Hunt reaching flood stage this time around as well. That's after dozens of youngsters who had been camping out near the river were killed by last week's disaster. Many still remain unaccounted for.
NBC News
13-07-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
Search for victims is suspended as central Texas braces for more flash flooding
More flash flooding is forecast for central Texas, where more than 100 lives were claimed by devastating floods last week. Flash flooding in Texas' Hill Country region materialized in the early hours of July 4, when the Guadalupe River surged over 20 feet. The aftermath was catastrophic, especially in Kerr County, where 103 people were killed. Over 100 people are still unaccounted for, but the search effort has been suspended due to more flash flooding expected Sunday, according to the Kerrville Police Department. Approximately 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected to accumulate Sunday in areas that flooded last week, and create flooding in new areas as well, according to the NWS Weather Prediction Center. Earlier Sunday morning, thunderstorms producing 2 to 4 inches of rain per hour drifted into northern Llano and Burnet counties, according to the National Weather Service, which warned that 'flooding is now ongoing or is expected to begin soon.' 'Significant rain has fallen and flooding is expected to develop shortly, particularly over Llano county,' the weather service said. The rain is expected to move southeast into the Hill Country region and the southern Edwards Plateau, the weather service said. 'Do not drive into flooded roads or around barricades,' the weather service warned. Flash flood warnings have been issued in Bertram, Llano, Cherry Spring, Watson and Briggs until 10:45 a.m. local time, according to the weather service. In Williamson County, officials warned that flash flooding is occurring due to a surge in the San Gabriel River and advised residents not to drive in the floodwaters. The northwestern part of the county is under a flash flood warning until 10 a.m. local time. Kerr County, which was hit especially hard in last week's floods, is also under a flash flood warning until 11:30 a.m. local time, the city of Kerrville announced on Facebook. Heavy rain has already begun falling in the city, according to the Kerrville Police Department. Video posted to Instagram showed what appears to be floodwaters and downed trees near the Guadalupe River. 'This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation,' the city warned. 'Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.'
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Texas flooding death toll rises; Kerrville overwhelmed by generosity: Updates
Search crews continued the grueling task of recovering the missing as more potential flash flooding threatened Texas Hill Country. Over a week since an inundated Guadalupe River sent floodwaters tearing through homes and youth camps in Texas, optimism for rescuing any of the dozens of people still missing from Hill Country on Saturday has steadily faded as the death toll continued to rise. Hundreds of rescuers, many of them volunteers, have scoured miles of destruction for any sign of the missing. But they haven't rescued anyone alive since July 4, the day of the flood, officials in the hardest-hit Kerr County said. Some 160 people are missing from the county alone. As of the morning of July 12, the death toll had risen to at least 129, with authorities in Kerr and Travis counties reporting more bodies recovered. The toll in Kerr County rose to at least 103, including 67 adults and 36 children, according to the county's Joint Information Center. In Travis County, the toll rose to nine from eight, spokesperson Hector Nieto confirmed to USA TODAY. Officials previously said at least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, the beloved all-girls Christian camp, were among the dead. "I've never seen anything like this, and I've seen a lot of bad ones," President Donald Trump said as he and first lady Melania Trump surveyed the damage on Friday. "It's hard to believe the devastation." In Kerrville, community's generosity has surpassed some needs The overwhelming response from community members near and far has become too generous, officials in Kerrville said on Saturday. The Kerrville Police Department said so many people have brought food for its staff, some has gone to waste. All its needs, including meals, are taken care of, the police department said. The police department also asked law enforcement officers in the region to stop showing up unannounced to help, as it is coordinating with agencies to assign officers to certain tasks. On Friday, the city of Kerrville asked volunteers to stop coming to help, as the most urgent needs are being handled by first responders and families within the community who were affected by the flooding. "Your generosity and support mean more than words can express," the city said. "Please don't lose heart – your help WILL be needed. As the days and weeks unfold, there will be many opportunities to step in and support our neighbors. We promise to share updates as specific volunteer needs arise." What happens if they aren't found? Grim reality sets in More than 10 months after Hurricane Helene spawned floods that ripped through western North Carolina last year, the bodies of Lysa Gindinova's 3-year-old cousin, Yevhenii Segen, and their grandmother, Tatiana Novitnia, have still not been found. The two were swept away by floodwaters, and the family wrestles with the fact they may never see them again. 'It doesn't feel real,' Gindinova told USA TODAY. Families in Texas are starting to face that same haunting realization after the deadly Hill Country flash floods as volunteers continue to scour the region for the missing. Much like last year's North Carolina floods, the Texas floods left behind mountains of debris: piles of crushed trailers and cars, stacks of downed cypress trees and walls of hardened mud that make recovery challenging. The amount of debris and destruction have made the grim task slow and taxing. Troy Tillman, 34, a sheriff's detective from just outside Lubbock, Texas, described uncovering a Ford F-250 pickup – completely submerged in mud and rock along the Guadalupe in Center Point, about 10 miles downriver from Kerrville. If a 3-ton truck like that is buried, Tillman thought, what else could be entombed at their feet? Read more. ‒ Rick Jervis and Christopher Cann Volunteers expected to help with recovery Saturday Kerr County said it is expecting a large number of "spontaneous volunteers" to help with recovery efforts on Saturday. Volunteers have been a key part of search and rescue in the days since the flood, with officials sometimes asking volunteers to stay away so qualified personnel can conduct some of the grueling work. Volunteers are asked to register with Texas Community Recovery and check in at Tivy Antler Stadium in Kerrville before attending a safety briefing. Officials continue to grapple with question of blame Officials in Texas have faced relentless questions about what could have been done to prevent the high death toll and short amount of warning time in the Hill Country flooding. In Kerr County, Sheriff Larry Leitha has said he's not dodging the questions, but is focusing on the top priority of locating each missing person and identifying each victim found. Trump on Friday rejected concerns about whether communities along the Guadalupe River were adequately prepared for the disaster. 'I think everybody did an incredible job under the circumstances,' Trump said. 'Only a very evil person would ask a question like that.' Gov. Greg Abbott earlier in the week said "blame" was the "word choice of losers." Is more flooding on the way? As cleanup and recovery continues in Texas Hill Country, a renewed threat of flash flooding is in store over the weekend, forecasters said. Scattered showers are expected to develop Saturday afternoon and evening in south-central Texas, including parts of areas that already flooded. Heavy rain can quickly run off already wet ground, forecasters said. In Kerrville, there is about a 35% chance of an inch of rain falling through Sunday morning, the weather service office serving Austin and San Antonio said. "The expected heavy rainfall totals along with already sensitive, wet antecedent conditions may lead to scattered to potentially numerous instances of flash flooding," the National Weather Service said. Abbott activated emergency response resources on Friday at the Texas Division of Emergency Management in response to the forecast: "Texas continues to stand ready to deploy all necessary resources to support Texans as severe storms move across our state,' he said. Over 13.5 million people were under flood watches from the National Weather Service across parts of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico on Saturday morning. How many died in Texas flooding? Here's a breakdown of the Texas flooding death toll, according to county officials: Contributing: Christopher Cann, Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Karissa Waddick and Michael Loria, USA TODAY
