Around 100 people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of flooding that devastated central Texas and killed more than 130 people, authorities say.
Gov. Greg Abbott said 97 people were still listed as missing in the greater Kerrville area, down from 160-plus about a week ago. There are also four from other counties. Some of those still sought may have been reported missing in error, Abbott said.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of those unaccounted for were probably visiting the area. He said many tourists had come for the Independence Day weekend fireworks and concert. Historic flooding overwhelmed the banks of the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of July 4.
“We don’t know how many came, we don’t know where they are, we don’t know how many we lost,” Kelly said. “We’ve heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the river with families in them. Can’t find trailers.”
Abbott, who visited some of the flood-devastated areas Monday, said state lawmakers would investigate the disaster preparedness and emergency response to the flooding at a special legislative session to convene later this month.
“We remain unrelenting in our 24/7 operation to save and protect lives,” Abbott said in a social media post. “Texas is a community. We are Texas strong.”
Other states aiding Texas recovery
California sent a team of more than two dozen state and local personnel and a cache of equipment and supplies to help Texas in the flooding aftermath. Virginia sent multiple search and rescue teams. Oklahoma sent swift-water rescue and Human Remains Detection K-9 teams, and Florida also sent swift-water rescue teams.
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New York, Indiana, Alabama and Maine were among other states providing support for Texas as it struggles to recover from the July 4 storm and subsequent rains and lesser flooding.
“Thanks to @GovKathyHochul for sending a K-9 team to support our search & rescue efforts in Central Texas,” Abbott said of his New York counterpart in a social media post. “The quick support from states across the country are crucial in our response and recovery.”
Hospitals get $1.9 million to repairs, staffing
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission awarded about $1.9 million in grants to hospitals in Kerrville and Llano on Tuesday. The emergency funding will help repair damage to the hospitals and equipment, provide staffing support and “address any operational issues,” Abbott said in a statement.
“Our health care professionals are working tirelessly on the front lines to help heal Texans who have been injured during these devastating floods,” Abbott said. He thanked first responders and health care personnel “for working day and night” to take care of Texans.Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville will receive emergency hardship grants of $1.5 million while Llano Regional Hospital gets $396,000.
Grants, loans available for businesses
The nonprofit organization LiftFund said it will provide grants of up to $10,000 each for small businesses and employees in Kerr and surrounding counties effected by the floods. Many small businesses suffered a flood-related tragedy such as the loss of a loved one or damaged property that disrupted the ability to function as a business.
LiftFund is also offering 36-month, 0% loans of up to $50,000. Representatives are providing assistance to business owners in person at Happy State Bank through Thursday.
LiftFund says the money can be used for replacing lost inventory, temporary closure costs, flood-related cleanup and “essential business continuity needs.”
Kerrville hosting outdoor movie night, seeks ‘moments of togetherness
In Kerrville, the epicenter for the flooding, authorities and residents are determined to move forward. In the “spirit of unity and resilience,” the city parks department said Movies in the Park will return July 18. Because of flooding issues, the event was moved to a baseball field, where the film will begin rolling at dusk.
“We believe that such moments of togetherness are vital for healing,” the department said in a social media post. “We hope you will join us for a peaceful evening under the stars.”
More heavy rain, flooding possible Tuesday
Torrential rains in recent days have hampered recovery efforts, and a flood watch for 12 counties in central Texas − including hard-hit Kerr County − was extended until 9 p.m. CT Tuesday. An additional 1 to 4 inches of rain was possible, the National Weather Service said, adding: “Soils are very saturated and rivers are already running at elevated levels, meaning any additional downpours could result in a quick river rise.”
Finally, a break from the storms in Hill Country is expected soon after. “The tropical moisture that has been streaming into central Texas will shift away from the region, bringing drier conditions to the center of the state,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said.
The long-range forecast calls for wet weather to return by the end of the month, according to AccuWeather, which said recovery crews and residents should remain “weather-aware” as the risk of flash flooding remains.
Search crews will also be dealing with brutal heat: Temperatures will climb into the lower 90s across Texas Hill Country this week and could near 100 in some spots, AccuWeather said.
How the flooding tragedy unfolded
Heavy rainfall, rocky terrain and the nearby Gulf climate combined to quickly turn the Guadalupe River into a destructive torrent across Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. The swath of land – including Camp Mystic, where at least 27 children and counselors were killed – has earned the nickname “flash flood alley,” and hundreds have died there over the years.
A series of weather events conspired to create tragedy. It began with moisture from Tropical Storm Barry that drifted over Texas in the first few days of July, said Bob Fogarty, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office. There, it collided with an upper-level low pressure system, which parked it in place.
