The number of people reported missing after the devastating July Fourth floods in Kerr County has fallen from more than 160 to just three, officials confirmed.
The reduction comes after what officials described as “extensive follow-up work” and “extraordinary efforts” by emergency responders and investigators. Originally, 173 people across the state were listed as missing.
“This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of coordinated search and rescue operations, careful investigative work, and an unwavering commitment to bringing clarity and hope to families during an unimaginably difficult time,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said in a statement.
According to updates from Kerr County and the city of Kerrville, dozens of names were removed from the list as people were confirmed safe.
“Many individuals who were initially reported as missing have been verified as safe and removed from the list,” the statement said. “This has been an ongoing effort as investigators worked diligently to verify reports of missing persons and confirm their status.”
The flooding began early July 4, when rapid rainfall sent a surge of water down the Guadalupe River. Federal weather data showed the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, forcing some survivors to cling to trees to stay alive.
A flood wave destroyed parts of Camp Mystic, a summer camp that was hosting more than 750 children. At least 27 campers and staff members died, making it one of the deadliest single-site disasters during the storm.
The emergency alert process is now under scrutiny. Despite the speed of the flooding, the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System was not used to send emergency alerts to cellphones in the region.
Last week, President Donald Trump toured the flood damage in Kerrville and defended the administration’s actions. “The federal response was immediate,” Trump said, adding that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was “there right from the beginning.”
As search efforts wind down, questions remain over whether more lives could have been saved with earlier warnings.
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