Texas game wardens have rescued 440 people and recovered 30 remains after the Kerr County floods.
KERR COUNTY, Texas — As the search and recovery efforts enter a fifth day after the catastropic Kerr County floods, we are learning more about how Texas game wardens are conducting operations.
Early Friday morning, the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in less than an hour, causing a massive wall of water to crash through summer camps, RV parks, campgrounds and neighborhoods all along the river. Officials say 87 people have been confirmed as killed in this flood and dozens more remain missing.
Lt. Col. Ben Baker with the Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens spoke at a news conference Tuesday, saying the state’s game wardens responded to the tragic event early morning on Friday. They have been serving as search and recovery crew members since then.
The agency has search 26 miles of the Guadalupe River flood and rescued about 440 people and recovered the remains of 30 people. They also have two helicopters with hoist capabilities, 12 drone teams, ten K9 unites, nine swiftwater boat crews, 15 air boats, 15 UTVS, and 169 four-wheel drive vehicles. The game wardens join dozens of other agencies and organizations working on the searches.
When reporters at the news conference asked about the challenges crew members face in the searches, Baker said they are great in number.
“When we are trying to make these recoveries, these large piles can be very obstructive,” Baker said. “And to get in deep into these piles, it is very hazardous. Specialized teams have to go in there layer by layer, because our first responders, the safety of them is our first concern.”
Baker also all of the agencies are staying mindful of how the search and recovery operation is affecting the mental of the crew members.
“We process it the best we can. We have professionals in place, our crisis intervention team. All of the agencies have some members representing there,” Baker said. “First responder wellness is a key component of these operations.”
Baker said they are keeping officer wellness is top of mind throughout the searching.
“It’s very tragic to see human life, but whenever you see a child, it’s extremely tragic,” Baker said.
See the full Tuesday news conference below: