Kerr County floods: At least 75 dead, including 27 children, as searches continue in Hill Country

KERR COUNTY, Texas — The end of the holiday weekend brought continued searching and desperation in the Hill Country, where at least 11 remain unaccounted for after catastrophic flooding overwhelmed Kerrville, Hunt and surrounding Kerr County communities early on the morning of July Fourth. 

Kerr County officials announced Monday morning around 10 a.m. that crews had recovered at least 75 bodies so far, including 27 children and 48 adults. We’re beginning to learn more about them here.

The search effort, anchored by the Texas National Guard, has involved hundreds of local and state personnel, including the Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens, and Texas Parks and Wildlife. The Coast Guard is also assisting in the recovery efforts. 

Officials said 10 young Camp Mystic campers remain unaccounted for, as well as a camp counselor. They stressed the rescue operations will continue until everyone is found, adding that drones and impromptu volunteers were impeding their efforts. 

“Our focus at this time is on the search and reunification efforts of those unaccounted for,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said. “Nothing is more important than bringing comfort and clarity to those who are grieving.”

Rice said searchers are looking all over the region, not just any one particular area. 

“We are seeing bodies recovered from all over. We have broken it down in a grid and searchers are covering the entire area,” he said. 

More than 850 people had been rescued from high waters as fellow Texans look to assist through donations drives and online funds. 

“This will be a rough week,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said Sunday afternoon. “Primary search continues and we remain hopeful.” 

“We have been blessed with help from the community, the state and the country.” 

Senator Ted Cruz also spoke Monday about the operations and the emotional toll this has made on Texans. 

“Texas is grieving right now. The pain and shock that has transpired the last few days has broken the hearts of our state.” 

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has extended a Flood Watch for Kerr County and other Central Texas communities until 10 p.m. Sunday. The service says “excessive runoff may result in dangerous flash flooding of low-lying areas, rivers/creeks and low-water crossings.”

Authorities still have not said how many people were missing beyond the children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along a river in Kerr County where most of the dead were recovered.

The destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet on the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes before daybreak Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. The danger was not over as rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio on Saturday and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect.

Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue people stranded in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads.

Governor Greg Abbott has vowed that authorities will work around the clock and said new areas were being searched as the water receded. He declared Sunday a day of prayer for the state.

“I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,” he said in a statement.

Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said recovery operations were beginning – including debris cleanup and the reopening of some roads – while stressing that search efforts for the missing would continue. 

“Stay out of the area,” he said of those considering traveling to Kerr County just to see the aftermath for themselves. 

Authorities were coming under scrutiny over whether the camps and residents in places long vulnerable to flooding received proper warning and whether enough preparations were made.

The hills along the Guadalupe River in central Texas are dotted with century-old youth camps and campgrounds where generations of families have come to swim and enjoy the outdoors. The area is especially popular around the July Fourth holiday, making it more difficult to know how many are missing.

“We don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said earlier.

The mayor says if you want to help the easiest way is to follow the City of Kerrville’s Facebook page.

“We will not stop until every single person is found,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said. “It’s going to take a while.”

Those who have suffered property damage from the disaster can also now start applying for relief through FEMA. 

The weekend forecast had called for rain, with a flood watch upgraded to a warning overnight Friday for at least 30,000 people.

“We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the county’s chief elected official.

The county had considered a flood warning system on the river similar to a tornado warning siren about six or seven years ago, but Kelly said the idea never got off the ground and the cost would have been an issue.

Kelly said he was heartbroken seeing body bags at the funeral home and the devastation on the ground during a helicopter tour.

“The rescue has gone as well as can be expected. It’s getting time now for the recovery,” he said. “And that’s going to be a long, toilsome task for us.”

Meanwhile, at Sunday afternoon’s briefing, Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice for the first time promised a “full review” of its emergency procedures amid mounting scrutiny. 

“At the appropriate time, we will take clear steps to strengthen our future preparedness,” he said.” We owe that commitment to the families who are suffering and to every member of our community.”

Kerrville ISD said on Facebook that counselors would be on hand at BT Wilson (605 Tivy St.) on Monday and Tuesday to support district students and staff. 

The district itself is dealing with loss after lost Tivy soccer coach Reece Zunker died in the floods, along with his wife. 

“We encourage any Kerrville ISD student or employee who needs support to utilize these resources,” the district said on Facedbook. “Together, we will navigate this grief one day at a time, as Coach Zunker’s mantra was, ‘You’ll never walk alone.'”

President Donald Trump, hours after signing a disaster declaration for Kerr County, told reporters he expects to visit the Lone Star State on Friday. This comes after the president signed a major disaster declaration on Sunday to aid affected areas.

“We wanted to leave a little time,” he said. “I wanted to do it today but we’d just be in their way. Probably Friday.”

Amidst the catastrophic Fourth of July Flooding, the City of Kerrville Emergency Management has established a reunification intake line for parents of campers who are unaccounted for.

If you do not know where your camper is, call 830-258-1111 and say the name of your missing person and you will be directed to a shelter. For other missing persons, call 830-257-8181.

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