News Summary
Devastating flooding in Kerr County, Texas, has led to the tragic loss of 82 lives, including families from the Houston area. As search and rescue operations persist, local authorities focus on identifying the deceased and locating missing individuals, with many still unaccounted for. Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized state resources to aid recovery efforts, while the community bands together in support of affected families during this widespread disaster.
Kerr County, Texas – Catastrophic flooding in Kerr County has resulted in the loss of 82 lives, a figure that includes residents from the Houston area. Local authorities continue to carry out extensive search and rescue operations, with a significant number of people still unaccounted for.
As of July 6, initial reports confirmed 59 deaths, but the toll rose significantly as the situation developed. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha announced that of the deceased, 38 adults and 21 children have been recovered. Additionally, there are 22 individuals whose identities remain unknown. The search for missing persons includes 19 individuals from the Houston area, notably members of the Kinkaid School community. Among the missing are John Burgess IV and his family—his wife and two young children—and several campers from Camp Mystic, where at least 25 out of 750 campers are unaccounted for after the flooding.
The catastrophic flooding was triggered by excessive rainfall, causing the Guadalupe River near Hunt and Kerrville to surge dramatically in just 45 minutes, rising by 26 feet. This flooding has surpassed levels recorded in 1987, marking it as the second-highest on record for the area. The aftermath has left numerous roads submerged and vehicles overturned, with troubling visuals circulating on social media platforms.
Over 850 people have been rescued from impacted areas with the assistance of state and Coast Guard crews. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized additional resources and announced that the state will maintain a posture focused on search and rescue. Multiple state search and rescue teams, including the Texas National Guard, have been deployed to aid in recovery efforts. Moreover, the Houston Fire Department has dispatched teams to assist with ongoing operations.
In the wake of these events, community leaders are urging local residents, especially those near rivers and creeks, to evacuate to higher ground. The streets of Kerr County are filled with the remnants of the catastrophe, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy.
Notably, the response from the City of Houston has included addressing inappropriate comments made on social media by a former board member of the city’s Food Insecurity Board. The Chief of Communications for the City remarked that such comments are “deeply inappropriate” considering the ongoing impact of the disaster. The former board member, who had been appointed by previous Mayor Sylvester Turner and whose term was set to expire in January 2025, has not been given plans for reappointment by current Mayor John Whitmire, who is taking steps towards her permanent removal from the board.
Family members of identified victims have publicly mourned the loss of their loved ones, which includes Chloe Childress, a counselor from Camp Mystic; Mary Kathryn Jacobe, an 8-year-old girl; and Jeff Wilson, a teacher from Kingwood Park High School. The community is coming together to support the affected families, with calls for prayer and assistance during this devastating time.
As the search and rescue operations continue, local authorities remain focused on providing help to those impacted by the tragedy, ensuring support for families and coordinating recovery efforts in the wake of this historic flooding.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tragic Flooding in Central Texas Claims Lives of Many
Devastating Floods in Central Texas Result in Tragedy
Houston Community Rallies to Support Kerr County Flood Victims
Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas Results in Tragedy
Central Texas Floods Claim 24 Lives, Dozens Missing
Additional Resources
- ABC13
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Fox26 Houston
- Google Search: Texas flooding
- Good Morning America
- Google Scholar: Texas flood disaster
- Space City Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- The New York Times
- Google News: Texas flood victims
