At least 150 individuals remain unaccounted for in Kerr County, Texas, five days after severe flash floods wreaked havoc across the state. Officials report that 119 lives have been lost due to the storm, with 95 fatalities in the Kerrville area alone. Among those still missing are five campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River.
The disaster was not isolated to Texas; neighboring New Mexico also faced its own emergencies, with at least three fatalities reported from flash floods that struck the village of Ruidoso, where nearly 3.5 inches of rain resulted in swift river inundations.
As search and rescue operations continue, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has emphasized the commitment of emergency crews to locate every missing person. He anticipates that the number of missing may rise, urging residents to report anyone unaccounted for. The Texas National Guard has deployed Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters for aerial rescues, complemented by advanced drone technology.
Over 250 responders from various agencies, including the FBI and border patrol, have mobilized in Kerr County to assist with recovery efforts. Volunteer rescuers have described the devastation as unparalleled, likening the search to "finding a needle in a haystack" amid vast landscapes of destruction. Rescue efforts face significant challenges with limited access to heavily affected areas; responders are forced to sift through debris manually.
Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of advance flood warnings and the timing of evacuation orders. While Abbott stated there were storm warnings issued ahead of the disaster, the scale of the flooding caught authorities off-guard. He asserted that assigning blame for the catastrophic losses is not a constructive response.
Those who survived, like local resident Justin Brown, are now focused on rebuilding their lives. After losing his mobile home, he remains hopeful about returning to his community. In a show of solidarity, President Donald Trump is set to visit affected areas, with recovery efforts intensifying in both Texas and New Mexico.
Rescue personnel are remaining vigilant as they work tirelessly to ensure that the search for survivors continues amidst these heartbreaking circumstances.
