The death toll from the Texas flooding disaster reached 105 victims on Tuesday as crews began to shift from rescue operations to recovery as the hope of finding survivors faded.
The majority of the victims were killed in Kerr County after the Guadalupe River rose almost 24 feet in under an hour early on July 4, carrying off vehicles, RVs and lifting buildings from their foundations.
Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp on the riverbank, confirmed 27 girls and staff members had been killed with 11 still missing. Hundreds of emergency responders continued to search through debris with the flood's footprint stretching more than 100km.
They asked people to keep away from the disaster zone to avoid hampering search efforts. On Monday night, a helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing after it collided with a private drone.
Central Texas, including the area around Kerrville, is expected to be much drier Wednesday after days of rain and ongoing flood risks, though forecasters suggest there is a chance of a thunderstorm later in the evening – a potential trigger for further flash flooding.
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Key Points
- Death toll: Texas flash floods kill at least 104
- With a dozen still missing, hopes of finding survivors dwindle
- Texas meteorologists under fire over accusations flood alerts came too late
- Governor Greg Abbott: 'Texas will not stop until missing found'
- Mapped: Counties hit hardest by flash floods
Some bodies have been released to families
16:32
,
Mike Bedigan
Some bodies have been released to their families though some remain in autopsy, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a new conference Wednesday.
Sheriff Leitha said it was uncertain how many remain missing.
Authorities will hold another press conference at 5 p.m. unless there was a critical update.
Kerr County official urges public not to visit the area
16:21
,
Mike Bedigan
Community Services Officer Jonathan Lamb, urged people to stay away from the area.
“We understand there’s natural curiosity, people want to come and see the flood damage,” he said at a news conference Wednesday.
“Now is not the time for sightseeing, this operation is ongoing.”
Kerr County officials provide update on search efforts
16:15
,
Mike Bedigan
Kerr County officials are now providing update on search and rescue efforts.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters that his priorities were “locating the people out there, identifying and notifying their next of kin.”
Sheriff Leitha appeared to initially dodge questions about who the emergency manager was and whether they were awake at the time.
Some first responders forced to drop from helicopter due to conditions
16:12
,
Mike Bedigan
Burnet County, Texas Chief Deputy Alan Trevino told CNN News Central that some first responders had been forced to drop from helicopters into remote areas due to ongoing conditions.
"It's couple of few things. One is we have continued to get rain. And so when we have rain in the area we're concerned about... our volunteers and our first responders caught out in potentially another flashflood,” he said, in an interview with the broacaster Wednesday.
“So we have to call them back. And getting to some of these locations, we are having to drop teams by helicopter into these remote areas. And so it's long. And then with the teams that are searching, it's hot, it's humid, and so we're having to rotate significantly just because of the exhaustion for both human and canine on these searches.
He added: “Additionally, because of how damp it is, we cannot, in some areas get – we won't be able to get horses in at this point. And additionally, with the cadaver dogs on some of these – we're putting cadaver dogs in boats.
“And so it's tough work but we're working, we're – as the days continue, the terrain dries out and we will continue to bring the resources that we need to be the most effective.”
Former NOAA administrator 'convinced' NWS staff cuts hindered comms with emergency management
16:00
,
Mike Bedigan
Richard Spinrad, former administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said he is "convinced" that cuts to staffing at the National Weather Service, hindered communication with emergency managers ahead of the devastating storms.
"I've talked with any number of my friends in the weather service and colleagues in the commercial weather community and to a person, one of the first questions they asked was, ‘Where was the WCM – the warning coordination meteorologist?’” Spinrad told CNN News Central Tuesday.
“I am convinced that the staff cuts that we saw were a contributing factor to the inability of the emergency managers to respond.
“The staffing was just fine, and the White House has concurred with this, to get the forecast out and to get the watches and warnings issued, but when you send a message there's no guarantee it's being received.
“So someone needs to follow up, and that's the warning coordination meteorologist – a position that was vacant."
In pictures: Vehicular carnage strewn along the Guadalupe River
15:42
,
Mike Bedigan
Mexican firefighters join response efforts in Texas
15:25
,
Mike Bedigan
A group of firefighters from Mexico has joined search efforts Texas, where almost two dozen people remain missing.
The group traveled from the state of Coahuila, which borders Del Río, Texas, on Sunday.
Watch: Timelapse shows deadly Texas floodwater rising in minutes
15:12
,
James Liddell
Power restored after floods down power lines in Kerr County
14:50
,
James Liddell
Power has been restored to the final remaining homes and businesses experiencing outages in the West Kerr area.
Rapid flood waters downed trees and knocked out powerlines, plunging hundreds in the area into darkness.
The three largest outages – Cade Loop Crossing, Rio Vista Crossing, and Kelly Creek Crossing – have now been restored, Kerrville Public Utility Board said.
The utility company said that 140 customers remained without power Monday evening.
By Tuesday morning, Poweroutages.us reported that there were no blackouts in Kerr County.
Cruz faces fury for trip to Greece as floods ravaged Texas
14:25
,
James Liddell
Senator Ted Cruz is facing backlash for being on vacation in Greece with his family when floods ravaged central Texas.
A tourist in Athens told the Houston Chronicle that Cruz was spotted near the Parthenon in Athens with his wife at 6 p.m. local time on Saturday. By that point, dozens were feared dead and Abbott had issued a disaster declaration due to severe flooding.
“I feel like he should have considered skipping the visit to the Parthenon on Saturday…,” Shannon Watts, an activist who campaigned with President Joe Biden in 2020, tweeted.
The Republican lawmaker came back “as fast a humanly possible” from his preplanned trip on Sunday, his office said.
The Daily Beast challenged Cruz’s claims of rushing back to Texas, noting that flight data showed multiple flights from Athens to San Antonio available on both Friday and Saturday. However, it remains unclear how many seats were available on those flights.
Cruz previously faced controversy in February 2021 when he took a trip to Cancún and abandoned his state in the middle of a winter storm that killed 246 Texans and left millions without power and running water. The scandal left the senator with the nickname “Cancún Cruz.”
In pictures: Camp Mystic remains at center of tragedy
14:00
,
James Liddell
Flood warnings continue in Coryell County
13:39
,
James Liddell
Flood warnings are still in effect for residents along two rivers in Coryell County.
The National Water Prediction Service issued the warnings Monday evening for the Leon River in Gatesville and Cowhouse Creek near Pidcoke.
Both rivers are expected to experience minor flooding. The warnings are due to be assessed at 2.45 p.m. local time
Texas pediatrician fired after anti-MAGA rant about flood victims
13:15
,
James Liddell
A veteran Houston pediatrician has been fired after she attacked Donald Trump supporters impacted by the floods.
“May all visitors, children, non-MAGA voters and pets be safe and dry,” wrote Dr. Christina Propst, formerly of Blue Fish Pediatrics.
“Kerr County MAGA voted to gut FEMA. They deny climate change. May they get what they voted for. Bless their hearts.”
Blue Fish Pediatrics announced that they had let Propst go.
“We were made aware of a social media comment from one of our physicians,” read the statement, without explicitly mentioning Propst by name. “The individual is no longer employed by Blue Fish Pediatrics.”
Watch: Moment rescuers pull resident from raging Texas floodwaters
12:51
,
James Liddell
Austin firefighters turn on chief over Kerr County flood response
12:25
,
James Liddell
The Austin Firefighters Association has called for a vote of no confidence on Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker after he allegedly “DENIED” the deployment of firefighters to flood-ravaged Kerry County.
AFA president said at a news conference Monday that Baker issued a standing order on June 6 that prevented Austin firefighters from deploying to assist search and rescue efforts.
“It is absolutely outrageous that the Austin Fire Chief, Joel G. Baker, would not allow highly trained firefighters from Austin to respond to Kerrville,” the group wrote in a statement Monday.
“Because of this egregious dereliction of duty, LIVES WERE VERY LIKELY LOST BECAUSE OF CHIEF BAKER’S DECISION!”
The Independent has contacted Baker for more information.
Houston Astros pledge $1 million to relief efforts
12:01
,
James Liddell
The Houston Astros have pledged to give $1 million to support relief efforts for those devastated by the floods that swept through Central Texas last week.
The MLB team said in a statement Monday that the Astros Foundation will also mobilize supporters and launch a fan-based initiative.
“It’s important to the entire Astros organization, to send immediate support to our fellow Texans throughout the Hill Country during this devastating time,” Jim Crane, owner and chairman of the team, said.
Crane said the Astros are committed to providing support for communities “through the coming days, months and years to help rebuild and heal.”
Mapped: Here are the affected areas as death toll rises
11:34
,
James Liddell
The search for two dozen missing people entered its fifth day on Tuesday after catastrophic flash floods swept through Central Texas last week.
At least 104 people have been killed following torrential downpours that began Thursday after the Guadalupe River burst from its banks on Friday, rising by 20 feet in roughly 95 minutes.
Maps reveal the devastation seen in Kerr County, where authorities revealed 28 children were among the 84 victims in the flood-ravaged region.
The Independent has mapped out the Texas communities hit hardest by the floods.
'This will be a rough week,' Kerrville mayor warns
11:10
,
James Liddell
As the death toll mounts, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr said at a Monday news conference that locals should prepare for a “rough week.”
“I need to tell my community, and those who are waiting: this will be a rough week,” he said.
“Primary search continues, and we remain hopeful [for] every foot, every mile, every bend of the river.”
Newsom to send Californian search and rescue teams to Texas
10:45
,
James Liddell
As the Madre Fire continues to tear through California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced he would deploy the state’s Urban Search and Rescue Team to Texas to assist with flood response efforts.
“California stands with all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in the devastating aftermath of these summer floods in Texas,” he said in a statement.
“California is sending these specialized resources to support critical emergency response and recovery efforts.”
What you can do to help the Texas flood victims and their families
10:20
,
James Liddell
Residents of Kerr County, Texas, and other areas around the Guadalupe River, are picking up the pieces following deadly flooding that has killed at least 104 people since last week.
Search and rescue operations were still underway on Tuesday as authorities scoured the area for dozens of others who remain missing amid the resulting debris and floodwaters.
At a press conference, city and county managers said donations have been pouring in from around the world to the Community Foundation. Anyone who wants to volunteer should contact the Kerrville Salvation Army and register.
So, how can you aid flood victims? Julia Musto outlines some ways to help:
Governor says 'Texas will not stop until missing found' as 1,750 personnel deployed
09:55
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James Liddell
More than 1,750 personnel from 20 state agencies have been deployed to respond to flood threats in Central Texas, Governor Gregg Abbott's office says.
“Texas is working tirelessly to assist local officials with recovery and rescue operations,” Abbott wrote on X Monday.
“Texas will not stop until every missing person is found.”
With a dozen still missing, hopes of finding survivors dwindle
09:30
,
James Liddell
At least two dozen people were still missing Monday evening as the death toll continued to mount.
At least 104 people have been killed by surging floodwaters that devestated central Texas last week.
Those who survived were typically found rapidly. Some were swept miles away from where they went missing and sustained critical injuries.
With each passing hour, the chances of finding the missing alive diminish.
“You’ve got to get to those folks quick,” Chris Boyer, the executive director of the National Association for Search and Rescue, told The New York Times.
“With floods, you don’t typically find a lot of people alive.”
Due to the severity of flooding, Boyer said it is increasingly unlikely that the missing will be found alive. Some bodies may not be recovered for months, he said, if at all.
In pictures: Mourners break down at vigil for victims
09:05
Warmer, drier conditions to provide some respite
08:48
,
James Liddell
After thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and flash floods on Monday, drier, warmer conditions in Central Texas are expected to provide some relief.
Michael Dell pledges $1 million to flood relief efforts
08:18
,
James Liddell
Texas billionaire Michael Dell has pledged $1 million to support relief efforts in the wake of last week’s devastating flash floods across Central Texas.
“Susan and I are heartbroken by the devastating floods across Central Texas. We're committing $1 million through our family foundation to relief efforts,” he tweeted late Monday.
“Our hearts go out to our team members, families, friends, and everyone affected – especially those mourning loved ones and those still awaiting news.”
Texas county deflects mounting questions over actions before deadly flood
08:00
,
Namita Singh
As deaths from catastrophic Texas flooding surpassed 100 on Monday, local officials in one of the hardest-hit counties have still revealed little about what, if any, actions they took to safeguard residents, tourists and visitors in an area known as "flash flood alley".
At a series of briefings since the flooding on 4 July, Kerr County officials have deflected a series of pointed questions about preparations and warnings as forecasters warned of life-threatening conditions.
The county in the scenic Texas Hill Country is home to several summer camps, including Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp that announced on Monday it lost at least 27 campers and counsellors.
"Today's not the day and now's not the time to discuss the warnings, who got them, who didn't got them. Right now, I'm only worried about public safety," Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Monday during an emergency session of the county commissioners court.
Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, said on Monday that authorities were reluctant to "cry wolf" and order evacuations, adding that rainfall "significantly" exceeded the projected amounts.
He said officials had little time to react in the middle of the night, adding that qualified first responders were being "swept away" driving through the initial rainfall.
"This rose very quickly in a very short amount of time," Mr Rice said.
Pictures: People take part in a vigil in memory of Texas flooding victims
07:21
,
Namita Singh
Hopes fade for missing Texas flood victims as death toll hovers around 100
07:04
,
Namita Singh
Search teams plodded through muddy riverbanks and flew aircraft over flood-ravaged central Texas on Monday as hopes dimmed of finding survivors among dozens still missing from a disaster that has claimed at least 96 lives, many of them children.
Three days after a torrential predawn downpour transformed the Guadalupe River into a raging, killer torrent, a Christian girls' summer camp devastated by the flash flood confirmed that 27 campers and counselors were among those who had perished.
Ten girls and a camp counselor were still unaccounted for, officials said on Monday, as search-and-rescue personnel faced the potential of more heavy rains and thunderstorms while clawing through tons of muck-laden debris.
The bulk of the death toll from Friday's calamity was concentrated in and around the riverfront town of Kerrville and the grounds of Camp Mystic, situated in a swath of Texas Hill Country known as "flash flood alley”.
On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick vowed that the state would "step up" to pay for installing a flash-flood warning system in Kerrville by next summer if local governments "can't afford it."
Video: Entire cabin full of people swept downriver in Texas flooding
07:00
,
Josh Marcus
Volunteers flock to help search efforts after Texas floods even as officials warn them away
06:30
,
Namita Singh
Justin Rubio awoke in the wee hours to an alert on his phone, thunder, sirens and the thud of helicopter blades – the beginning of one of the largest rescue operations in Texas history. Rubio was determined to be a part of it.
Even as authorities in Kerr County have repeatedly discouraged civilian volunteers, Rubio and dozens of others went out Monday to search for people still missing after flash flooding tore through the Texas Hill Country over the July Fourth weekend.
The emotions wrapped up in the calamity that killed at least 100 people – and the urge to help find those still missing – at times butted up against officials' need for structure and safety as they search over 100km along the Guadalupe River.
The river grew by the size of a two-story building in less than an hour on Friday. One survivor described a " pitch-black wall of death".
The flooding decimated shorelines, ripped trees from the ground, tossed and crushed a Ram truck, disappeared buildings and swept through a century-old summer camp packed with kids.
Rubio, who picked through torn tree limbs Monday, said he couldn't help but pitch in."It's sad. It eats at your soul, it eats at your heart," he said.
"I can't just sit at home thinking about what's going on out here."The outpouring, volunteers say, is a Texas strain of solidarity, and officials have applauded the donations and volunteers in other areas.
Forecasters defend Texas meteorologists amid criticisms alerts came too late
06:00
,
Josh Marcus
Former National Weather Service officials and meteorologists are defending Texas forecasters in the wake of sudden flooding that resulted in the deaths of at least 104 people, including 27 girls and counsellors at a Christian girls’ camp in Kerrville.
Response to the extreme event has been met with major scrutiny after some state and local officials accused the NWS of not providing accurate forecasts. There have also been questions over whether the agency was sufficiently staffed after the Trump administration slashed critical positions around the U.S.
But experts say that warnings issued were about as timely and accurate as could be expected with the data they had.
“The forecasting was good. The warnings were good. It’s always about getting people to receive the message,” Chris Vagasky, a meteorologist based in Wisconsin, told NBC News. “It appears that is one of the biggest contributors — that last mile.”
More details in our full story.
ICYMI: How to help victims of Texas floods
05:00
,
Josh Marcus
Residents of Kerr County, Texas, and other areas around the Guadalupe River, are picking up the pieces following deadly flooding that has killed at least 95 people since last week.
Search and rescue operations were still underway on Monday as authorities scoured the area for dozens of others who remain missing amid the resulting debris and floodwaters.
Authorities would not give an official tally of those still unaccounted for, saying operations were ongoing and that they have received a number of fake reports.
Residents of Kerr County, Texas, and other areas around the Guadalupe River, are picking up the pieces following deadly flooding that has killed at least 95 people since last week.
Search and rescue operations were still underway on Monday as authorities scoured the area for dozens of others who remain missing amid the resulting debris and floodwaters.
So, how can you aid flood victims? Here are some ways to help...
Julia Musto reports.
Over 100 killed in flash floods in Texas
04:34
,
Namita Singh
Flash floods in Texas killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend and left others still missing, including girls attending a summer camp.
The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions.
In Kerr County, home to youth camps in the Texas Hill Country, searchers have found the bodies of 84 people, including 28 children, Sheriff Larry Leitha said Monday afternoon. Fatalities in nearby counties brought the total number of deaths as of Monday afternoon to at least 104.
Ten girls and a counselor were still unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river.
The floods grew to their worst at the midpoint of a long holiday weekend when many people were asleep.
The Texas Hill Country in the central part of the state is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. Friday's flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30cm) of rain in the dark early morning hours.
After a flood watch notice midday Thursday, the National Weather Service office issued an urgent warning around 4am that raised the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat to human life.
By at least 5.20am, some in the Kerrville City area say water levels were getting alarmingly high. The massive rain flowing down hills sent rushing water into the Guadalupe River, causing it to rise 26ft in just 45 minutes.
Death toll is expected to rise and the number of missing is uncertain.
Texas state lawmaker regrets voting against disaster response bill after floods
04:00
,
Josh Marcus
Amid questions about whether emergency systems could’ve done more to warn residents of central Texas about last week’s flood, one state lawmaker says he regrets voting against an emergency preparedness bill earlier this year.
The legislation, House Bill 13, would have established a statewide plan to improve Texas’s disaster alert systems, as well as provided grants to buy new communications equipment and installing infrastructure like radio towers.
“I can tell you in hindsight, watching what it takes to deal with a disaster like this, my vote would probably be different now,” Representative Wes Virdell told Texas Tribune.
Drone collision grounds rescue helicopter
03:00
,
Josh Marcus
City officials in Kerrville are warning residents not to use their drones until the search and rescue operations in the area are complete, after a collision with a drone in restricted airspace temporarily grounded an emergency helicopter flight.
“The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing, and a critical piece of response equipment is now out of service until further notice. This was entirely preventable,” the city said in a statement on Facebook.
“When you fly a drone in restricted areas, you’re not just breaking the law -- you’re putting first responders, emergency crews, and the public at serious risk,” the statement continued.
WATCH: San Antonio holds candlelight vigil for victims of deadly Texas floods
02:54
,
Josh Marcus
'She did all she could to save the lives of the girls in her cabin'
02:01
,
Josh Marcus
A group of 11 are still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp hit hard by the central Texas floods last week.
That includes Katherine Ferruzzo, 19, a counselor at the camp and an incoming student at the University of Texas.
“Katherine has a fierce and loving spirit, and we have no doubt she did all she could to save the lives of the girls in her cabin,” her family told The New York Times.
Mayor in hard-hit city of Kerrville never got direct warning about floods
01:30
,
Josh Marcus
Scrutiny is mounting over whether officials did enough to alert the public before deadly floods hit central Texas last week.
Joe Herring, Jr., the mayor of hard-hit Kerrville, told CNN he never got a flood notification or an individual warning from government forecasters before the disaster struck.
The first time he learned the extent of the threat was early Friday morning, when the city’s emergency manager called him to say a park had been flooded, Herring told CNN.
"It all happened upriver at the worst possible place. And I think everyone in Kerrville, everyone in Kerr County, wishes to God we had some way to warn them. To warn those people. I've lost two friends. We loved them and the
