Search for Missing Continues as Texas Grapples with Deadliest Flood in Decades

Over 100 Still Unaccounted for as Rescue Operations Mark Two Weeks

In the heart of Texas Hill Country, search teams and desperate families marked the thirteenth day since catastrophic flooding swept through Kerr County, leaving at least 134 people dead and over 100 still missing as of July 16, 2025. The disaster—triggered by a sudden deluge on the Fourth of July—has turned normally tranquil river communities into scenes of mourning and ongoing recovery. As authorities, volunteers, and loved ones continue the search for survivors and victims along the Guadalupe River, questions arise about preparedness, the speed of response, and the future of flood-prone regions across Central Texas.

Rising Waters, Rising Toll

The deadly flooding began early on July 4, when rapid rainfall from powerful weather systems overwhelmed the Guadalupe River. In less than an hour, water levels surged over 26 feet in some areas, tearing homes from foundations, sweeping vehicles downstream, and devastating cherished summer camps. The brunt of the destruction hit Kerr County, a scenic enclave where the river winds through historic towns and draws thousands each summer.

The confirmed death toll now stands at 134, making this event the deadliest inland flood in the United States since Colorado’s Big Thompson disaster in 1976. Among the victims are at least 37 children, including more than 20 young girls from Camp Mystic, a summer camp engulfed by the sudden rise of floodwaters. Authorities continue to identify the dead using rapid DNA tests, a somber recognition of the challenge faced by forensic teams working in such extreme conditions.

“It’s harder and harder to be optimistic,” Kerrville Police Sgt. Jonathan Lamb commented as the days stretched on and the list of the missing remained heartbreakingly long.

Anatomy of a Catastrophe

The meteorological roots of the disaster run deep. The flooding was fueled by atmospheric remnants of both Tropical Storm Barry and Hurricane Flossie, which collided with warm Gulf air to produce more than 20 inches of rain in just a few days. Years of drought in Central Texas had hardened soils, preventing absorption and exacerbating the rapid runoff that funneled torrents directly into rivers and low-lying basins—an all-too-familiar scenario in “Flash Flood Alley”.

Despite repeated warnings about local flash flood risks—emphasized by both state officials and experts—many residents and visitors were taken aback by the speed and force of the floodwaters. Six separate flash flood emergencies were declared across the region on July 4 alone.

Heroism and Heartbreak

Immediately after the rivers broke their banks, more than 2,000 volunteers and professional responders—joined by the Texas National Guard and fire crews from as far as California and Mexico—launched frantic rescue operations. Helicopters plucked 167 people from trees and rooftops, including entire families stranded in the darkness as water inundated homes and campgrounds. Texas Guardsmen conducted more than 520 air and ground rescues in the first 48 hours.

“The river keeps rising and falling… each time making the water murkier again and adding to the difficulty of this long search,” reported CBS affiliate Jason Allen, underscoring the punishing and unpredictable conditions along the Guadalupe River.

As the days passed, hopes for finding additional survivors faded. Authorities confirmed that no “live rescue” had occurred since late on July 4; ongoing searches increasingly turned to recovery efforts.

Statistics of Loss and the Unfolding Search

By July 10, more than 160 people remained unaccounted for, a number that dropped to 101 as of July 15 as authorities sorted duplicate or mistaken reports and located individuals who had survived undetected. Still, the vast volume of debris, strong river currents, and unstable banks have slowed search progress to a crawl. Law enforcement officers, trained search dog teams, and family volunteers meticulously comb through collapsed trailers, uprooted trees, and banks layered with boulders and hardened mud.

“There could be victims within that debris pile… there are 10-foot walls of dead trees, boulders, and silt people could be trapped under,” explained a local rescuer, describing the grim reality that not all missing individuals will be located soon—if ever.

The devastation is especially acute at Camp Mystic, where 27 staff and campers perished and dozens more are still missing. The camp’s vulnerability—a low-lying bend along a river famous for both recreation and periodic flooding—has prompted new scrutiny of summer camp safety policies and emergency preparedness routines across the state.

Communities in Mourning

The human cost extends well beyond those immediately lost or missing. Memorials now line the streets of Kerrville and other flood-damaged towns, filled with photographs and messages for daughters, mothers, and fathers swept away by the storm. Faith leaders and advocacy groups have rallied in support; the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) joined local churches in extending condolences and prayers for all families affected.

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating flash flood that struck Camp Mystic, leaving families in anguish and uncertainty… our hearts go out to the young campers, staff, and their loved ones during this harrowing time,” CAIR-Texas stated, emphasizing unity across faiths in the face of tragedy.

Mounting Challenges

Even as Texas reels from the initial disaster, further rainfall has threatened search operations, prompting repeated pauses in the recovery along the river valleys. A new flash flood watch was issued mid-July for Hill Country, with predicted rates exceeding two inches per hour, compounding hazards for both searchers and residents.

Governor Greg Abbott has declared disaster zones across 15 counties and thanked the more than 230 National Guard troops and hundreds of emergency personnel deployed across the affected area. President Trump authorized a federal disaster declaration on July 6, releasing emergency funds for both local authorities and individuals directly affected. Still, the effort has drawn scrutiny, with local officials receiving threats as families express frustration over the perceived lack of early warnings and slow rescue mobilization.

“Even though we are reporting 97 people missing, there is no certainty that all 97 of those people were swept away by the storm,” Governor Abbott said, pointing to the challenges of reconciling missing persons reports with actual victims.

Identification and the Toll of Uncertainty

To accelerate the identification of victims, the Texas Department of Public Safety has enlisted advanced rapid DNA testing, expediting the process in the face of overwhelming loss. Texas Rangers have coordinated with medical examiners and family members, collecting samples in hopes of bringing closure to grieving loved ones.

The logistical hurdles remain immense. Communication networks, electricity lines, and roadways were destroyed, isolating pockets of survivors for days in some communities. The trauma lingers, as survivors and first responders confront both the emotional and physical toll of the flood—and the grim likelihood that some remains may never be found.

Climate, Vulnerability, and Policy Questions

Flooding has long plagued Central Texas, but the scale of this event—driven by unique meteorological factors—has reignited debate over preparedness in a changing climate. Experts attribute a combination of record-setting rainfall, drought-hardened soil, and the region’s hilly terrain as critical factors that exacerbated the disaster. Early estimates put the cost of destruction between $18 and $22 billion, with insurance companies bracing for record payouts and communities facing daunting rebuilding needs.

Some policy analysts warn that increased urbanization, the proliferation of riverside developments, and the persistent draw of summer tourism contribute to ever-greater risk. They are calling for more robust emergency planning, improved flood warning systems, and investments in infrastructure resilient to future disasters.

The Courage of Volunteers and International Solidarity

Beyond the borders of Texas, the response to this disaster has drawn support from across the nation and internationally. Urban search and rescue teams from more than a dozen U.S. states, along with specialized crews from Mexico, have joined local responders in the search. These multinational teams have played a pivotal role, especially as conditions challenged even the most experienced rescue personnel.

California, for example, dispatched a highly trained contingent with disaster experience ranging from hurricanes to 9/11, collaborating closely with FEMA and local Texas counterparts throughout the protracted search and recovery.

Future Prospects

As Texas enters a crucial period of reflection and recovery, the memory of those lost and the lessons learned loom large. State and federal officials have pledged continued support, with long-term conversations already underway about rebuilding strategies, emergency infrastructure investments, and compensation for the thousands affected.

In Kerrville and countless communities along the Guadalupe River, the pain of loss remains palpable, but so too does the resolve to honor the victims and strengthen resilience against future floods. While the arduous search continues—under the threat of summer rains and amid the weight of community grief—residents look to the future with determination to rebuild safer, more connected communities.