More than 160 still missing after Texas floods claim 109 lives, with search efforts hindered by debris and ongoing rain

NEW JERSEY, July 9 — More than 160 people remain missing following catastrophic floods in Texas, state Governor Greg Abbott announced yesterday, marking a sharp rise in the number of unaccounted individuals as the death toll climbed to 109.

Four days after powerful flash floods swept through several Texas counties—many in the early hours of the morning—hopes of finding survivors are diminishing. Governor Abbott warned that the number of missing may continue to grow.

“In Kerr County alone, we have reports of 161 people missing,” Abbott told reporters on Tuesday, noting that the figure was based on information provided by concerned friends, families, and neighbors.

Kerr County, located in the heart of central Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley,” suffered the most casualties, with at least 94 confirmed deaths. Among the victims were at least 27 girls and counselors who were attending a youth summer camp along the Guadalupe River when it overflowed on Friday morning, just as Fourth of July celebrations were beginning.

Floodwaters tore through the campsite, sweeping away cabins while hundreds slept. As of Tuesday evening, five campers, one counselor, and another unrelated child remained missing, Abbott said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with this community, especially those still unaccounted for,” the governor added.

Outside of Kerr County, at least 15 more fatalities have been reported across the state.

Ben Baker from the Texas Game Wardens said search and rescue operations—using helicopters, drones, and search dogs—were being hampered by difficult terrain, including thick mud and debris.

“These large piles of debris are hazardous and make recovery efforts extremely challenging,” he said. “It’s dangerous, time-consuming work. The water hasn’t fully receded.”

Meanwhile, the US National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso, a town in neighboring New Mexico, approximately 296 kilometers south of Albuquerque. Several residents were reportedly trapped by rapidly rising waters, and numerous homes sustained damage. The Rio Ruidoso may have risen more than 20 feet (six meters), the agency reported.

Search continues despite rain

In Hunt, the hardest-hit area, AFP reporters witnessed rescue teams sorting through wreckage as helicopters hovered overhead.

Javier Torres, 24, was seen digging through mud in search of his grandmother’s body, after having found his grandfather’s remains. He also discovered the bodies of two children believed to have been washed away by the flood.

Although more rain is forecast, Baker said rescue operations will press on. “It won’t deter us,” he stressed.

President Donald Trump is expected to visit Texas on Friday, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.

“We brought in helicopters from all over the country. The crews did an incredible job and saved many lives,” Trump said.

However, mounting criticism has emerged over whether funding cuts under Trump’s administration weakened early warning systems and hampered rescue efforts. During a press briefing, Baker declined to comment directly on the speed of the response.

“At the moment, our focus is entirely on bringing people home,” he said.

Shel Winkley, a meteorologist from Climate Central, attributed the scale of the disaster to a combination of geography and severe drought, which left the ground unable to absorb the sudden deluge.

“This area, particularly Kerr County, was under extreme to exceptional drought conditions. Since May, temperatures have been higher than average,” Winkley said.

Tom Di Liberto, media director at the same organization, added that staff shortages at the National Weather Service likely affected response capabilities.

“You can’t replace the experience that’s been lost,” he noted. — AFP