Authorities have not said exactly how many people are still believed to be missing.
Just two days after catastrophic flash floods in central Texas washed away homes and vehicles and left at least 67 people dead, rescuers on July 6 are searching through a devastating landscape of overturned cars and mud-filled debris to search for potential survivors, including 11 girls who went missing when their camp was hit with a wall of water.
As of 9 a.m. on July 6, authorities said that at least 59 people, including 21 children, perished from flooding in Kerr County, while another eight died in nearby counties.
Beyond the 11 girls declared missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along a river in Kerr County, where most of the dead were found, authorities have not yet said exactly how many are missing from the flash floods.
During a press conference on Sunday morning, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said local, state, and federal authorities have deployed more than 400 first responders to central Texas.
“We have more than a dozen canines working in and near the river. More than 100 air, water and ground vehicles are in the field right now, working on this search and rescue,” Leitha said.
Of the 59 deceased in Kerr County alone, 18 adults and four children are yet to be identified, he said. Twelve people from Camp Mystic are still unaccounted for, including one counselor, Leitha added.
“We will continue our search efforts until everybody is found,” he said. Those reporting missing loved ones are asked to call 830-258-1111 and to follow the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office and City of Kerrville Facebook pages for the latest updates.
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had set up a phone line, 830-465-4794, for donations or for anyone who wishes to volunteer in the search and recovery efforts.
President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County on Sunday morning and said his administration is working with state and local officials in recovery efforts.
By Jacob Burg
