Number Of Missing Plummets To 3 In Hard-hit Kerr County In Wake Of Texas Floods

The number of group reported missing successful nan aftermath of historic July 4 flooding successful Kerr County, Texas, has dropped from a highest of much than 160 to three, pinch galore now verified arsenic being safe, officials said Saturday.

"Extensive follow-up work" and "extraordinary efforts" were credited pinch nan simplification aft 173 group statewide were reported missing amid floodwaters 2 stories deep, officials said successful nearly identical statements from Kerr County and nan metropolis of Kerrville.

"This singular advancement reflects countless hours of coordinated hunt and rescue operations, observant investigative work, and an unwavering committedness to bringing clarity and dream to families during an unimaginably difficult time," Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said successful nan statements.

Dozens upon dozens of group reported missing by loved ones were taken disconnected a database of missing persons aft their information was verified, officials said.

"Many individuals who were initially reported arsenic missing person been verified arsenic safe and removed from nan list," nan metropolis and region statements said. "This has been an ongoing effort arsenic investigators worked diligently to verify reports of missing persons and corroborate their status."

County officials did not instantly respond to a petition for much accusation Saturday. It wasn't clear if immoderate 1 factor, specified arsenic nan return of cellphone work interrupted by nan storm, whitethorn person been instrumental successful locating those initially reported arsenic missing.

Rapidly rising floodwaters successful nan early greeting hours of July 4 swept done river-adjacent summertime campy bungalows, washed cars disconnected roadways and near immoderate survivors clinging to trees.

A "flood wave" besides swept down nan Guadalupe River, quickly expanding its extent and damaging structures on its banks. Federal upwind information showed nan Guadalupe, which runs done Kerville and Kerr County, roseate 26 feet successful 45 minutes.

At slightest 27 campers and unit members died astatine Camp Mystic, which was hosting much than 750 children erstwhile it was inundated by nan abrupt stream flooding.

The process of informing residents is nether scrutiny arsenic nan national Integrated Public Alert & Warning System was not utilized to nonstop Emergency Alert System texts to cellphone users successful nan region.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, earlier this week called for a general investigation into nan Department of Homeland Security's consequence to nan flooding.

President Donald Trump toured flood-damaged Kerrville past week and defended nan stance of his administration, saying nan national consequence was immediate. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was “there correct from nan beginning,” nan president said.

State and section officials person besides had to grapple pinch criticism of nan deficiency of timely alerts being sent to residents up of nan floods.

“It happened truthful quickly that nobody, cipher could person anticipated it,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told NBC News this week, arguing that nan historical and overwhelming quality of nan flooding could hardly beryllium avoided pinch nan champion warnings and forecasts.