In a significant development regarding the devastating floods in Kerr County, Texas, officials have revised the number of missing persons from an alarming 97 down to just three as of Saturday. The City of Kerrville released a statement confirming that, through thorough investigations by both state and local agencies, many individuals initially reported as missing have been located and verified as safe.
The catastrophic flooding that struck Texas over the July 4 weekend has claimed the lives of at least 135 individuals statewide, prompting a massive search operation throughout the region, particularly along the Guadalupe River in central Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that the flood left 101 people missing across the state, including the earlier reported 97 in Kerr County. He assured the public that efforts to locate the missing and identify victims would continue, although he noted that numbers could be revised downward as recovery operations progressed.
Authorities have committed to continuing recovery operations throughout the Guadalupe River watershed. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice expressed gratitude for the dedication of over 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel who have worked tirelessly in the wake of this disaster. Thanks to these extraordinary efforts, the number of individuals initially listed as missing has plummeted from over 160 to just three.
As of Saturday, one person remains unaccounted for in Travis County, while another is missing in Burnet County, according to reports from CNN. The updated count in Kerr County follows two weeks after torrential rains on July 4 surged the Guadalupe River from a mere 3 feet to a staggering 30 feet in just 45 minutes, resulting in the destruction of homes, vehicles, and roadways.
The disaster has raised serious concerns about the preparedness of local officials for potential flooding, especially considering the rapid escalation of the river's levels. At a recent Kerr County commissioners meeting, Sheriff Larry Leitha stated that search and recovery efforts would continue vigorously for an additional month or two, with the possibility of extending these efforts for up to six months. The sheriff's office has deployed 2,200 personnel from various agencies to assist in the recovery operations.
The search effort covers 60 miles of river, navigating through murky waters, thick mud, and immense piles of debris. A coordinated team of searchers, including volunteers from across the United States and as far as Mexico, have been working in perilous conditions, supported by helicopters, drones, boats, search dogs, and mules. Kerr County Emergency Operations Center Unified Command reported that more than 1,000 first responders and thousands of volunteers have been involved in the recovery efforts.
The flooding incident occurred when months of rain fell within just hours, causing river levels to surge and triggering deadly flash floods in western and central Texas over the July Fourth weekend. Many families received grave warnings about the severe weather too late, resulting in tragic losses.
At Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp situated along the floodplain of the Guadalupe River, 27 campers and counselors lost their lives due to the raging waters. Governor Abbott has underscored the unprecedented scale of this flooding disaster, stating that it could be the largest flood in Texas history, with fatalities surpassing those from Hurricane Harvey in Kerrville.
In the aftermath of the storm, housing has emerged as a significant concern for the affected families. The disaster recovery center is actively working to address these urgent needs. Governor Abbott has announced a special legislative session scheduled for July 21, focusing on enhancing flood warning systems, emergency communications, and relief funding for victims.
The agenda for the special session includes proposed legislation aimed at strengthening communication in flood-prone areas and streamlining regulations to improve preparedness and recovery from natural disasters. This proactive approach aims to bolster Texas's resilience against future flooding events.
This article will be updated with further developments as the situation evolves.
