(The Center Square) – At least 69 people are dead and 51 are missing as a result of the July 4 flash flood event in Texas Hill Country, Gov. Greg Abbott said at a news conference Sunday night.
There are 59 confirmed deceased and 11 missing from Camp Mystic, in Kerrville and Kerr County, Abbott said. In the Central Texas area, there are confirmed 10 additional people deceased. Statewide, in all areas affected by flooding, there are 41 known missing.
But it’s unknown how many remain missing. Abbott said it was important to clarify that “there were so many people who were just camping out – not children in camps – but adults camping out near the river, people in RVs and things like that,” who are missing. “There are people who are missing, who are not on the known, confirmed missing because we don’t yet know who they are,” he said.
Authorities are involved in ongoing searches “throughout the entire river system to find anybody who may be missing,” he said. Abbott also called on members of the public to contact local Kerr County officials if they believe they know someone is missing who was camping in the area.
“Please contact the local officials in Kerr County and let them know that you have the name, identification and other information about a person who is suspected to be missing,” he said. “Call only if you have specific information,” otherwise calls could slow emergency response efforts, he said.
The state has deployed more than 1,500 personnel and more than 925 vehicles and equipment assets across 20 state agencies in response to the flood event.
Expected dangerous weather conditions continue, Abbott also warned, adding that “life threatening danger over the next 24 to 48 hours” exists. Flash flooding could occur in the regions of “the Big Country, Concho Valley, Central Texas and Kerrville,” he said.
“There are still public safety issues and lives to be saved in Kerr County, and all of these regions,” he said.
He urged Texans to remain vigilant and stay off the roads.
Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Director Freeman Martin said three people have been reported missing in Williamson County, one has been recovered; the fire chief and a 17-year-old female are missing in Burnet County.
At least six people are confirmed dead and 17 are reported missing in Travis and Burnet counties as a result of flood waters, authorities confirmed to the Dallas Morning News.
Recovering operations are ongoing for everyone including “every single one of the children who were at Camp Mystic, as well as anybody else,” Abbott said. After visiting what’s left of the camp, he said, “it was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through.”
“We know that parents and families, they want information, they want closure, and we want them to know that we are working as swiftly as possible to get them accurate information that will provide that closure,” Abbott said.
More than 850 people have been rescued, the majority by the Texas Military Department.
Texas National Guard helped rescue/evacuate 525 people, 366 by air and 159 by ground; 20 were in San Sabo County and five in Burnet County, Texas Military Department Adjutant General Major General Thomas Suelzer said.
One single U.S. Coast Guard officer rescued a record 165 people.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskin “directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. “This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene. Scott Ruskin is an American hero. His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the USCG.”
The Trump administration is supporting recovery efforts, including the president already approving a major disaster declaration authorizing FEMA assistance.
