At least 161 people remain missing in Kerr County, Texas, following last week’s deadly flash floods that ravaged several parts of the state, Governor Greg Abbott confirmed on Wednesday.
Among the missing are five campers and a counsellor from Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp located along the Guadalupe River, which overflowed during the disaster.
Governor Abbott, speaking at a news conference, said the death toll has climbed to 109, with 94 fatalities reported in the Kerrville area alone. He acknowledged that the chances of finding more survivors were fading with each passing day.
Emergency crews continue search-and-rescue operations, but many areas remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and high water levels.
Recall that the flood struck suddenly after days of heavy rainfall overwhelmed riverbanks and drainage systems across central Texas. Residents described the water rising within minutes, washing away cars, homes, and campsites.
Texas is not the only state battling nature’s fury. In New Mexico, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency Tuesday night, warning of dangerous and potentially life-threatening flooding.
Authorities in both states have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, avoid flooded zones, and follow evacuation orders. Recovery efforts are underway, but officials say it could take weeks before a full assessment of the damage is completed.
