Families wait for word on missing as Texas flood death toll nears 120

KERR COUNTY, Texas – Officials in Kerr County struggled to provide answers on July 8 about their response to a devastating flood that swept through the Texas Hill Country nearly a week ago, killing at least 119 people statewide.

The bulk of those deaths were in Kerr County,

where the death roll reached 95, and officials said 161 people were still missing – a major increase from the numbers they cited earlier in the week. Statewide, 173 people were unaccounted for as searchers continued to probe the muddy remains of cabins, campers and trailer parks.

Pressed about possible lapses in disaster preparation, Governor Greg Abbott announced an agenda on July 8 for a special session of the state legislature this month that includes consideration of flood warning systems. But the session, which was announced last month, will address 14 other topics, including tax cuts and further restricting abortion.

Facing questions at a news conference on July 8 about a lack of warning sirens and other aspects of their disaster response, officials in Kerr County gave an extensive account of rescue efforts, saying hundreds of people had been saved by local emergency crews.

“They rescued people out of vehicles. They rescued people out of homes that were already flooded, pulling them out of windows,” said officer Jonathan Lamb from the police department in Kerrville. He added: “I know that this tragedy, as horrific as it is, could have been so much worse.”

But officials said other answers about preparations and response would have to wait for an extensive review. “If improvements need to be made, improvements will be made,” said county sheriff Larry Leitha.

Asked about the timeline of when increasingly urgent warnings from the National Weather Service were shared with residents, the sheriff asked for more time. “I believe those questions need to be answered,” he told reporters. “We’re going to get that answer. We’re not running. We’re not going to hide.”

The floods, striking a region filled with summer camps and vacationing families, now stand among the deadliest US disasters for children in several decades. In Kerr County alone, 36 children were killed, including many from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls.

In addition to the deaths in Kerr County, at least seven people were killed in Travis County, eight in Kendall County, five in Burnet County, three in Williamson County and one in Tom Green County. NYTIMES