The number of people reported missing after catastrophic flooding struck Kerr County on July 4 has decreased from 160 to three, county officials said Saturday as search efforts entered their third week.
The flooding, which killed at least 135 people statewide, including 107 in Kerr County, devastated communities along the Guadalupe River.
The Kerrville Police Department credited “extensive follow-up work among state and local agencies” for verifying that many individuals initially reported missing were, in fact, safe, NBC News reported.
“Many individuals who were initially reported as missing have been verified as safe and removed from the list,” Kerrville officials stated in a Facebook post on Saturday.
Six days prior, the number of missing persons stood at 97.
“This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of coordinated search and rescue operations, careful investigative work, and an unwavering commitment to bringing clarity and hope to families during an unimaginably difficult time,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice.
Kerrville Police Department’s Jonathan Lamb emphasized ongoing efforts, stating, “This process takes time, but is essential to ensure that every lead is thoroughly followed and each person is properly accounted for.”
Lamb added, “While the updated figure offers some relief, searchers remain focused on reuniting the three individuals who are still unaccounted for with their families.”
The July 4 flooding, triggered by a “flood wave” that raised the Guadalupe River 26 feet in 45 minutes, swept through Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls that was hosting more than 750 children. At least 27 campers and staff died in the flood, which inundated bungalows, washed cars away, and left survivors clinging to trees.
Texas officials have called a special legislative session, starting Monday in Austin, to address flooding and other issues. A select committee is scheduled to hold a hearing in Kerr County on July 31, according to a Facebook post from the county on Sunday.
Officials did not specify reasons for the significant drop in the missing persons count, such as whether restored cellphone service played a role.
“State and local officials continue to work with urgency and care to locate them, while supporting affected communities through the ongoing recovery process,” Lamb said.