Texas Flooding: 107 Dead and Questions Mount Over Disaster Response as Search Efforts Continue
Kerr County, TX — The death toll from the catastrophic flash flooding that struck Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend has risen to at least 107, with recovery efforts now focusing on locating the missing and identifying the victims. Rescue crews continue to sift through the wreckage, but hope of finding survivors is dwindling, as no one has been found alive in the aftermath for several days.
As of Tuesday morning, 87 bodies have been recovered in Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit areas. At Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp along the Guadalupe River, five campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for, heightening the sense of urgency.
Tensions rose during a press conference on Tuesday as officials faced growing scrutiny over their handling of the disaster. Lt. Col. Ben Baker of the Texas game wardens stressed that the immediate focus is on “bringing people home,” while Sheriff Larry Leitha was questioned about how residents were alerted to the flash floods. “Right now, my priority is to locate people, identify them, and notify their next of kin,” Sheriff Leitha said, noting that other concerns would have to wait.
The response to the flooding has drawn questions, particularly regarding the effectiveness of early warning systems. Despite the availability of flood watches and warnings, the flash floods took many by surprise, swamping homes, campsites, and businesses without warning.
In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted that, while Texas is strong and resilient, the state, not the federal government, handles the management of such disasters. Noem also acknowledged efforts to streamline FEMA processes to respond more efficiently.
Meanwhile, search and recovery efforts are ongoing, with teams coming from far and wide to assist. On Monday, a specialized team from Mexico, including civil protection officers and firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, joined the mission to comb through the debris and assist with rescue operations.
Though there is a small chance of additional storms, forecasters predict a break in the rain today. However, flood warnings remain in place for some areas, and the toll on the region’s communities continues to be profound. As of now, the focus remains on recovery, as the number of missing continues to rise and the full scope of the disaster becomes clearer with each passing day.