Three Individuals Unaccounted for in Texas Floods, Down from Nearly a Hundred

In Kerrville, Texas, local authorities have significantly reduced the number of people unaccounted for following the catastrophic floods on July 4. As of Saturday, the list of missing individuals has dropped to three.

This substantial decrease comes as recovery efforts move into their third week, showing a remarkable improvement from the initial reports of over 160 missing in Kerr County.

Dalton Rice, the City Manager of Kerrville, praised the tireless efforts involved in search operations that have provided answers to families during this challenging period.

The number of confirmed fatalities in Kerr County stands at 107, with the total death toll from the floods in Texas reaching at least 135, predominantly affecting areas along the Guadalupe River.

The pre-dawn hours of July 4 witnessed the Guadalupe River's rapid rise, reaching heights of 26 feet (approximately 8 meters), sweeping away homes and cars in its path.

Hill Country, famous for its scenic vistas and camping spots near the river, suffered extreme destruction due to the floods. The region's soil, unable to absorb heavy rains, contributed to the severity of the flash floods.

The area, including Camp Mystic—a long-standing girls' summer camp—fell victim to the flooding, resulting in the loss of 27 campers and counselors. Known as 'flash flood alley,' the region experienced weather beyond the 100-year flood expectations set by FEMA.

Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of warnings given to Kerrville residents, where there's ongoing criticism of the response to weather forecasts and flood alerts.

Both President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott have addressed questions regarding the handling of the flood response, defending the local authorities' actions.

Search teams have deployed helicopters, boats, and drones to locate victims, although further rainfall predictions have sometimes impeded these recovery missions.