Deadly Floods in Texas: Search Efforts Hampered by Rain Forecasts

KERRVILLE, Texas — Rain forecasts hampered the search Monday for people still missing after deadly floods pummeled Texas, as officials made plans to drain reservoirs in the search for victims and lowered the number of people they said remain missing.

While some official crews resumed the search along the Guadalupe River in and around Kerrville in Kerr County, others held off or were ordered to stop because of worries about the forecast and the possibility of more flooding.

And local officials, who have faced mounting scrutiny over a perceived lack of action and warnings ahead of the July Fourth storm that killed at least 132 people, complained they have received threats to their safety.

The first pause in search efforts due to the weather came Sunday in Texas Hill Country, where the soil is still primed for enhanced water runoff.

The Impact of the Floods

The floods have had a devastating impact on the community, with many people still unaccounted for. The search efforts have been ongoing, but the rain forecasts have made it difficult for crews to continue their work.

The Guadalupe River, which runs through Kerrville, has been the focus of the search efforts. The river has been swollen from the heavy rainfall, making it difficult for crews to navigate.

The Number of Missing

At a news conference Monday, state officials said 101 people remain missing, including 97 in the Kerrville area. The other four were swept away in other counties.

That is a significant drop from the more than 160 people officials had previously said were unaccounted for in Kerr County alone, with 10 more missing in neighboring areas. State officials did not immediately respond to emailed requests for clarity on the big change in the number of missing.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested it has been difficult to pin down a number. Campers, residents or people who registered at RV parks or hotels are easier to account for, he said. Others may have been reported missing by a friend, family member or coworker.

“Even though we are reporting 97 people missing, there is no certainty that all 97 of those people were swept away by the storm,” Abbott said.

Trailer after Trailer Swept Away

Texas Hill Country is a popular destination for tourists, where campers seek out spots along the river amid the rolling hills. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said during a commissioners’ meeting Monday that it’s been difficult to determine exactly how many tourists were in the area when the flooding occurred.

“We’ve heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the river with families in them. Can’t find the trailers,” Kelly said. “It’s what we don’t know. We don’t know how many of them there are.”

Kelly said he’d been told of one trailer that was found “completely covered in gravel” 27 feet below the surface of the river. He said sonar crews have been searching the river and local lakes and more are expected to arrive.

Commissioner Don Harris said officials plan to drain two reservoir lakes on the river.

“Who knows how many out there are completely covered,” Harris said.

The Search for Victims Continues

Despite the challenges posed by the rain forecasts, the search for victims continues. Crews are working to drain the reservoir lakes and searching the river and local lakes for any signs of the missing people.

The community is coming together to support the families of the missing people, and officials are working to provide them with any information they can.

Conclusion

The deadly floods in Texas have had a devastating impact on the community, with many people still unaccounted for. The search efforts continue, despite the challenges posed by the rain forecasts. Officials are working to provide support to the families of the missing people and to find any signs of the victims.

The community is coming together to support each other during this difficult time, and officials are working to ensure that everything is being done to find the missing people and to prevent such disasters in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people are still missing after the floods in Texas?

A: According to state officials, 101 people remain missing, including 97 in the Kerrville area.

Q: What is being done to search for the missing people?

A: Crews are working to drain the reservoir lakes and searching the river and local lakes for any signs of the missing people. Sonar crews are also being used to search the river and lakes.

Q: How can I support the families of the missing people?

A: You can support the families of the missing people by donating to relief efforts or by volunteering your time to help with the search efforts.

Q: What is being done to prevent such disasters in the future?

A: Officials are working to review the warning systems and emergency response plans to ensure that everything is being done to prevent such disasters in the future.