In the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding that tragically claimed at least 121 lives in the Texas Hill Country, search efforts remain ongoing. Volunteers are tirelessly working to locate victims and provide closure to grieving families. Among these dedicated groups is the United Cajun Navy, a volunteer organization renowned for its disaster response efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Currently, they are actively engaged in recovery operations in Kerr County, where the devastating floods resulted in the loss of at least 96 individuals, including 36 children, after the Guadalupe River surged an astonishing 26 feet in under an hour on July 4.
Initially, the search efforts were primarily conducted by ground crews on foot, who meticulously checked all visible areas for signs of victims. Ryan Logue, the Texas incident commander for the United Cajun Navy, shared insights with ABC News on Friday, stating, “At the beginning, it was mostly ground crews on foot, checking everything we could visually see. Now we've got canine crews, search and rescue teams, and swim teams deployed.” This escalation in resources highlights the commitment of volunteers to leave no stone unturned in their search for victims.
However, the recovery operation is not without its challenges. As time progresses, conditions on the ground are deteriorating. Logue explained that the mud and silt washed down by the floodwaters are hardening, becoming almost like concrete as they dry. This transformation complicates the efforts of search teams, who now find it increasingly difficult to sift through the debris in search of the missing.
For Ryan Logue, this mission is deeply personal. As a local resident of Kerrville, he is not merely leading the search efforts; he is also committed to rebuilding his own community. “This is my backyard. The place on the river that I'm at right now is where I take my daughter swimming,” Logue shared. His connection to the area fuels his determination, stating, “I'm not going anywhere until we find every last victim and provide closure to this community.” His dual role as both a helper and a community member intensifies his resolve to aid those impacted by the disaster.
The overwhelming support from the local community has been a source of encouragement for Logue and his team. He recounted how locals have embraced him with gratitude whenever they spot him wearing his United Cajun Navy shirt. “The fire inside of me to help my community burns so strong,” he said, emphasizing the emotional weight of the situation.
As President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited the devastated region on Friday, scrutiny regarding the local and federal response to the disaster intensified. Nevertheless, volunteers like Logue remain steadfast in their mission: to bring closure to families still anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. “This isn't just a disaster you're deployed to. You have to process what's going on because this is my backyard,” Logue remarked. “But I know I have to put on my game face and make sure we're doing everything we can to find anybody who was impacted by this.”
