The Latest: Massive search for survivors underway after deadly Texas floods
Camp Mystic in Kerr County says Monday morning that it is
'grieving the loss'
of 27 campers and counselors as the search continues for victims of the disaster. The flooding sent
a wall of water
through the century-old summer camp Friday.
The risk of life-threatening flooding was still high in central Texas with more rain on the way.
The Texas Hill Country is home to several summer camps. Searchers there have found the bodies of 75 people, including 27 children. Fourteen other
deaths have been reported
in other parts of Texas.
Here's the Latest:
Moisture powered the storm from many directions
The warm water of the Gulf
fueled the moist atmosphere
, and even more moisture came from areas over the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Remnants of moisture from Tropical Storm Barry also lingered over Texas because the jet stream, a current of air that moves weather patterns, wasn't there to push it away.
The combination gave the storm plenty of fuel once it got started.
Meteorologists said that an atmosphere warmed by human-caused
climate change
can hold more moisture and allow bad storms to dump more rain, though it's hard to connect specific storms to a warming planet so soon after they occur.
A Camp Mystic nurse captured the escape in a series of TikTok videos
A video posted by Devon Paige shows girls on a bus singing the lyrics to 'Pass It On,' a Christian hymn written by Kurt Kaiser.
'I wish for you, my friend,' they chant, their bus rolling past toppled trees, and a rescue vehicle, flashers on. 'This happiness that I've found.'
As the bus passes a National Guard Jeep, the terrified chorus sings, 'I'll shout it from the mountaintop.' In unison, they shout, 'Praise God.'
The Mexican consulate in San Antonio is helping 30 Mexican people affected by the floods
Most of those requesting assistance needed help replacing their passports, President Claudia Sheinbaum said. Nine people asked for help to return to Mexico.
Sheinbaum said proudly that two Mexican girls helped to rescue other girls.
She said that the consulate is 'in constant communication with the families, and when weather conditions permit, they will visit the shelters.'
Cruz says recent cuts to FEMA and the National Weather Service didn't impact late warnings
'This is not a time for partisan finger-pointing and attacks,' the Republican senator said. 'There will be a time to find out what could have been done differently. My hope is, in time, we learn some lessons to implement the next time there is a flood.'
Sen. Ted Cruz says he picked up his daughter from a camp in the area just a week ago
Cruz said the situation in Kerr County is 'every parent's nightmare.'
'The pain and agony of not knowing your children's whereabouts is the worst thing imaginable,' Cruz said during a news conference with local officials.
Kerr County's death toll rises to 75
The bodies of 27 children are among those that have been recovered, officials said during a news conference.
Ten campers and one counselor remain missing, officials said.
Officials had previously said the death toll in Kerr County was 68. Ten other
deaths have been reported
in other parts of Texas.
Forecasters issue a flood watch for San Antonio and Austin
Slow-moving, heavy rainfall is expected to reach up to 4 additional inches, the National Weather Service said.
The
flood watch
lasts through 7 p.m. local time.
Officials to hold a news conference on the search and rescue effort
The 10 a.m. Central news conference will be the first official update since Camp Mystic officials confirmed early this morning that they lost 27 campers and counselors when a wall of water swept through the campground in the middle of the night on the Fourth of July.
The floods were at their worst when many people were asleep
The Texas Hill Country in the central part of the state is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up.
Friday's flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark, early morning hours.
▶
What to know about the flash floods
Officials face scrutiny over flash flood warnings
Survivors have described the floods as a
'pitch black wall of death'
and said they received no emergency warnings.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who lives along the Guadalupe River, said Saturday that '
nobody saw this coming
.' Various officials have referred to it as a
'100-year-flood,' meaning
that the water levels were highly unlikely based on the historical record.
And records behind those statistics don't always account for human-caused climate change.
Additionally, officials have come under scrutiny about why residents and youth summer camps along the river were not alerted sooner than 4 a.m. or told to evacuate.
Officials noted that the public can grow weary from too many flooding alerts or forecasts that turn out to be minor.
Kerr County officials said they had presented a proposal for a more robust flood warning system, similar to a tornado warning system, but that members of the public
reeled at the cost
.
Search and rescue teams are heading back out to look for flood victims
Organizers at a staging area in Center Point said more than 1,000 volunteers have been directed to the area about 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of Kerrville, and more are being sent.
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Time Magazine
4 hours ago
- Time Magazine
I'm a Climate Scientist in Texas. Here's What the Floods Tell Us
Late into the night of Friday, July 3, the remnants of tropical storm Barry combined with an unusually humid air mass. Together, they dropped more than four months' worth of rain—at least 1.8 trillion gallons, roughly enough to cover the entire state of Texas in four inches of water—in just four hours. Much of this rain fell over a picturesque stretch of the Texas Hill Country dotted by summer camps, vacation homes, and cypress trees, where it quickly drained into the Guadalupe River. The timing—overnight, on a holiday weekend—the intensity of the rainfall in the river watershed, and the vulnerable location combined into a worst-case scenario. By the early hours of the morning, river banks were overrun and a flash flood began to surge downstream. By 4.30am, the stream gauge at Hunt, TX had risen 20 feet in just 90 minutes, putting hundreds of people downstream in immediate harms' way. As a climate scientist who calls Texas home, I can tell you that the Hill Country of Texas is no stranger to flooding. Meteorologists often refer to it as 'Flash Flood Alley' because of its steep terrain, shallow soils, and its history of sudden and intense rainfall. So that night, despite recent federal cuts that doubled the number of their vacant positions, the local National Weather Service (NWS) office was fully staffed. They issued timely warnings that escalated quickly as the risk of flash flooding intensified. Some received and heeded them. At Mo Ranch, a camp my son once attended, leaders who'd been keeping an eye on the river and the weather alerts moved campers and staff from riverside buildings to higher ground in the middle of the night. But tragically, many more did not. The resulting death toll from the nightmare flood that swept through that morning is already well over 100 people. It includes local residents, vacationers, and saddest of all, many young campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a beloved 99-year-old all-girls camp on the banks of the south fork of the Guadalupe River as well as the directors of both Camp Mystic and the nearby Heart O' the Hills Camp. Over 170 more remain missing in Kerr County, and the exhausting work of recovery is just beginning. Texas is no stranger to floods and other weather extremes. In fact, Texas is tied with Arkansas for the second most billion-plus dollar flood events of any state other than Louisiana. But as the world warms, that warmer air holds more moisture; so when a storm passes through, it's capable of dumping much more rain than it would have, fifty or a hundred years ago. As a result, what used to be considered a 500-year flood has already happened multiple times in recent memory. The city of Houston experienced three such events from 2015 to 2017 alone. And so-called 100-year floods are becoming commonplace. This trend underscores an important truth. Climate change isn't creating new risks: rather, it's amplifying existing ones. Texas already experiences more extreme weather events with damages exceeding a billion dollars—floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires and more—than any other state. And it's already seeing longer, more dangerous heatwaves, stronger hurricanes, bigger wildfires, and yes—heavier downpours, too. In the 1980s and 1990s, Texas averaged less than two of such damaging extreme events per year. Since then, the numbers have escalated quickly, with 16 extreme billion-dollar events in Texas in 2023–and 20 in 2024. Unfortunately, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stopped updating these figures under the Trump Administration, citing 'evolving priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing changes.' With the risks changing so quickly, it's no longer enough to look to the past as a guide to the future. We need to prepare for what's coming, not just what's happened before. That means that we need more data, more expertise, more preparation, more communication, and more follow through, to keep people safe. Radars, stream gauges, weather models and emergency notification systems—we need them all, more than ever. How can this be accomplished? Agencies like the NWS, NOAA and FEMA must be funded and staffed to expand the public services we rely on, paid for by our tax dollars. Preparedness must be prioritized as cities, towns, and counties allocate their resources. The more climate change supercharges our extremes, the more we need reliable, timely, and actionable ways to keep people out of harm's way. This may seem obvious– yet today, the opposite is happening. Eight of the 122 NWS offices around the country can no longer operate around the clock after the firings of probationary employees and early retirements. Moving into hurricane season, NOAA announced the Defense Department would no longer share data from key weather satellites that track hurricane paths. Most recently, the Trump Administration shut down the U.S. government website hosting the National Climate Assessments I've contributed to since the Bush Administration. These assessments are the most comprehensive and authoritative source of forward-looking information we have in the U.S. on how climate change is already altering the risks of extreme weather across Texas and the broader United States. Advertisement Keeping people safe on a warming planet also means preparing our infrastructure and building resilience in advance. It's common sense to invest in flood protection and early warning systems such as could have made a difference in this disaster. And these options are on the table: in Texas, voters will decide in November whether to dedicate an additional $1 billion annually to the state's Water Fund, money that could be used to support flood resilience. Despite the misinformation and anti-science rhetoric that often overwhelms social media after disasters like this, a majority of people— 63 percent in Texas and across the U.S.—are already concerned about climate change. A flood doesn't stop to ask about your politics before it sweeps away your home. Regardless of where we live or how we vote, extreme weather puts us all at risk: and we know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it's getting worse due to climate change. Advertisement The good news is this: solutions are at hand. Shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy is one of the best ways to cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are building up in the atmosphere, essentially wrapping an extra blanket around the planet and causing it to warm. What many may not realize is that Texas leads the U.S. in clean energy innovation, from wind and solar to breakthroughs in energy storage and geothermal. And at The Nature Conservancy, where I serve as chief scientist, we're working with cities and states to advance nature-based solutions that absorb floodwaters and protect communities from extreme heat. This includes advocating for expanded support for flood mitigation efforts in Texas from the new Water Fund. As individuals, we can't implement an emergency warning system or overhaul a community's energy sources on our own—but we can use our voices to advocate for them. Too often, even after a disaster, we don't have the deeper conversations about what rising climate risks mean for our future. As a result, most people aren't prepared for the impacts when they hit home—whether it's skyrocketing home insurance costs, or a disastrous flood that arrives overnight. And because policymakers rarely hear from those who care, they often underestimate how much public support there really is for action. Yet these are not altruistic investments. Every dollar invested in climate resilience across the U.S. and globally yields an estimated tenfold return—even when no disaster occurs. Advertisement As individuals, our voice is the most powerful force we have to drive change. And for me, as a parent whose own child once went to camp along the Guadalupe River, the choice is clear: doing nothing—and saying nothing—isn't an option if we want a better future for our children.
CNBC
7 hours ago
- CNBC
Trump visits Texas flood zone, defends government's disaster response
President Donald Trump defended the state and federal response to deadly flash flooding in Texas on Friday as he visited the stricken Hill Country region, where at least 120 people, including dozens of children, perished a week ago. During a roundtable discussion after touring Kerr County, the epicenter of the disaster, Trump praised both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for their response, saying they both did an "incredible job." The Trump administration, as well as local and state officials, has faced mounting questions over whether more could have been done to protect and warn residents ahead of the flooding, which struck with astonishing speed in the pre-dawn hours on July 4, the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Trump reacted with anger when a reporter said some families affected by the floods had expressed frustration that warnings did not go out sooner. "I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances," he said. "I don't know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that." Some critics have questioned whether the administration's spending cuts at the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates the U.S. government's disaster response efforts, might have exacerbated the calamity. Trump officials have said that cuts had no impact on the NWS's ability to forecast the storms, despite some vacancies in local offices. But the president has largely sidestepped questions about his plans to shrink or abolish FEMA and reassign many of its key functions to state and local governments. "I'll tell you some other time," Trump said on Tuesday, when asked by a reporter about FEMA. Before the most recent flooding, Kerr County declined to install an early-warning system after failing to secure state money to cover the cost. Lawrence Walker, 67, and a nearly three-decade veteran resident of Kerrville, said the county and state had not spent enough on disaster prevention, including an early-warning system. Asked about the quality of the government response, he said, "It's been fine since the water was at 8 feet." The Texas state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster relief funding. Abbott has dismissed questions about whether anyone was to blame, calling that the "word choice of losers." Search teams on Friday were still combing through muddy debris littering parts of the Hill Country in central Texas, looking for the dozens still listed as missing, but no survivors have been found since the day of the floods. Heavy rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River early on July 4, causing the deadliest disaster of the Republican president's nearly six-month term in office. As sun poked through dark clouds on Friday morning, search crews in hard hats painstakingly walked inch-by-inch along the ruined banks of the river, marking damage and looking through wreckage. After the president arrived in Kerr County in the early afternoon, Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott drove to an area near the river, where Trump received a briefing from first responders amid debris left in the wake of the flood. The county is located in what is known as "flash flood alley," a region that has seen some of the country's deadliest floods. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 34 feet (10.4 meters) in a matter of hours, cascading over its banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. Kerr County officials say more than 160 people remain unaccounted for, although experts say that the number of people reported missing in the wake of disasters is often inflated. The dead in the county include 67 adults and at least 36 children, many of whom were campers at the nearly century-old Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Jon Moreno, 71, a longtime Kerrville resident whose property on high ground was spared, praised the government response - local and federal. He has heard the debate about what more could have been done - including sirens - but said he did not think it would have made much difference, given people's desire to build along the flood-prone riverbanks. "It's unavoidable," he said. "All those people along the river - I wouldn't want to live there ... It's too dangerous." At Stripes, a gas station in Kerrville, the building was tagged in large white letters, accusing "Trump's Big Beautiful Bill" of cutting "our emergency funding." The president's massive legislative package, which cut taxes and spending, won approval from the Republican-controlled Congress last week and was signed into law by Trump on the same day that the flooding hit Texas.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
BLOG: Flood recovery underway as searches continue July 9
This blog is no longer being updated. TEXAS (KXAN) — Wednesday marks six days since flash floods in Central Texas that killed more than 100 people. As survivors begin recovery efforts, state and local emergency responders continue to search for missing people in several counties. At least 119 deaths have been confirmed in six counties. Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday afternoon that 161 people are missing in Kerr County alone. Overall, at least 172 people remain missing. Here's what we know about some of the victims. Here are the top headlines: Resources for Texans affected by flooding: Find shelter, supplies and assistance Today's forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team Why were flash floods across Central Texas so catastrophic? Read Meteorologist Freddy Vela's weather blog post. Our previous live blogs: July 4, July 5, July 6, July 7. July 8 'Total destruction': 10 still missing in Travis County, Big Sandy Creek area devastated 'Hunt Strong': Community icon, the Hunt Store, destroyed in Kerr Co. flood Austin Fire Chief defends response after accusations of delaying help for Kerr County flooding; Austin Firefighters Association president calls no confidence vote Final missing person in Burnet County is Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief, sheriff says How does FEMA work? Owner of emergency response company explains FEMA's process 10:40 p.m. The LCRA said 'one floodgate is open at both Wirtz and Starcke dams to pass storm runoff downstream.' 'Conditions are dynamic, and it may be necessary to open additional floodgates overnight at Wirtz and Starcke dams.' For more information, visit the LCRA website. 9:58 p.m. Hattie B's Hot Chicken said on social media 100% of its sales from its Austin and Dallas stores will go to the Central Texas Food Bank, as well as their work on behalf of victims. 9:05 p.m. LCRA said 'one floodgate is open at Wirtz Dam to pass storm runoff downstream.' 'LCRA plans to open a floodgate at Starcke Dam later this evening. The water will be passed downstream into Lake Travis.' Furthermore, the LCRA said 'flows below the dams will be higher and faster than usual. Take action to protect people and property that may be affected.' For more information, visit the LCRA website. 8:56 p.m. The Kerr County Sheriff's Office said on social media the 'Kerrville Driver License Office is ready to assist individuals affected by the flood who need a replace Texas Driver License or Identification Card.' 'No appointment is necessary for those impacted. Please be sure to inform their staff that you were affected by the flood.' 8:25 p.m. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) said it was 'closely monitoring the potential for additional flooding along the Llano River' shortly before 8 p.m. Then, around 8:15 p.m., LCRA said floodgate operations at Wirtz Dam and Starcke Dam 'are likely.' 'LCRA is currently passing inflows into Lake LBJ through hydrogeneration,' the agency said. For more information, visit the LCRA website. 7 p.m. A fire engine was placed outside the Marble Falls area volunteer fire department for those wishing to honor volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips. Video shows people put flowers in buckets on the fire engine. The Burnet County Sheriff's Office said Phillips was responding to a rescue call during the flooding over the weekend, when the fast moving waters swept him and his vehicle away. BCSO has found Phillips' vehicle, but there's still no sign of him. The agency said Phillips served the Marble Falls area for 30 years. 5:15 p.m. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, 95 who died in Kerr County were recovered, including 59 adults and 36 children, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office said on social media. Additionally, identification is pending for 14 adults and 13 children. 'At present, 5 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for. Officials report there are 161 missing people in the Kerr County area,' KCSO said. Officials said that members of the community are ' asked to NOT conduct debris management on their property until directed by local officials. There is a burn ban in effect until further notice.' 'Amazing acts of kindness and charity are happening – from our neighbors, from complete strangers, and from charities all over the state. Texans are stepping up for Texans. While we have some tough days both now and ahead, progress is being made. Stay strong, Kerr County!' 3:50 p.m. Gov. Abbott announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for 'Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA),' Abbott's office said in a news release Wednesday. This is a result of the severe storm and flooding that impacted the state. President Donald Trump issued a 'Major Disaster Declaration,' which makes it possible for 'workers and self-employed individuals in Kerr County who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from severe weather may be eligible for DUA benefits.' Those affected by the flooding can apply for benefits via the Unemployment Benefit Services website or by calling TWC at 800-939-6631 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Applications under the the declaration has to be submitted by Sept. 4, according to Abbott's office. Those applying must specify their 'applications are related to the damage caused by Hill Country flooding.' 3:40 p.m. Gov. Greg Abbott announced the special session agenda, including flood related items at the very top of the list. Those items are listed below, as provided by Abbott's office: Flood warning systems Flood emergency communications Relief funding for Hill Country floods Natural disaster preparation and recovery Other items in the agenda include legislation to eliminate the STAAR test, reduce property taxes, protect children from THC, regulate hemp-derived products, protect unborn children and more. 3:25 p.m. A community in western Travis County is relying on volunteers for supplies after flash floods severely damaged a bridge at Big Sandy Road and Nameless Road — the only way in and out of the neighborhood. KXAN 's Grace Reader reports volunteers are shuttling supplies across the bridge on foot to neighbor. Read the full story here. 2:43 p.m. Flash floods could be seen on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., near the University of Texas. KXAN's Kevin Baskar got the following video. 2:20 p.m. Officials said three deaths resulted from the floods on July 5 in Williamson County. The county is now focusing on standing down from a recovery effort and focusing on a clean-up effort. Additionally, at least one person is still believed to be missing in Leander, with Williamson County assisting in the effort. Williamson County Judge Steven Snell said the county sent out 16 emergency alert messages on July 5. Additionally, 63 calls to 911 were placed, and the county ran several rescue missions. Snell said several messages from Warn Central Texas were also sent to residents in the area and reiterated how important is for those who have not subscribed to do so. A disaster declaration for the county was also extended for the next seven days, Snell said. At the height of the flood, 29 roads were closed, Snell said. The roads are now only down to five that are closed, as of Wednesday. Now that the clean-up effort is in effect, TDEM will go out and assess those damages. Those who would like to report those damages, they can go to the TDEM website at There is also a clean-up crisis line as another way for those to report damages or request any type of assistance needed at 512-201-4814. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hill Country in Kerr County and just hope all that can be recovered as soon as possible and keep our first responders safe,' Snell said. 2:03 p.m. We're seeing storms pop up throughout Central Texas on Wednesday afternoon with Austin receiving some of the strongest rain around 2 p.m. 1:44 p.m. According to TDEM's resource map, there are seven helicopter search and rescue swimmers in Travis County. Statewide, heli swimmers have been deployed to seven counties, with 253 people deployed, 12 search and rescue and K9s on deployment since before the flood. 1:11 p.m. Local officials in Kerr County continue facing public scrutiny after days of seeming to deflect questions about their preparedness and response to the July 4 flash flood that left dozens dead. The attention comes, as records reviewed by KXAN reveal leaders determined in 2024 that the county 'will experience a flood event in the next year.' On Wednesday, during a morning press conference, they updated the death count to 95 with 161 people still missing. While again avoiding answers about specific actions in the hours between weather warnings and the Guadalupe River rising 30 feet, Sheriff Larry Leitha said there would be an 'after-action' review following his 'priority' of notifying victims' families. 'We will answer those questions,' Leitha told reporters. 'I wish y'all would bear with me on that, okay? Bear with me. We'll get them. I can't tell you when – in a week or two, okay? We're gonna get them.' Read the full story here. 11:15 a.m. The Long Center announced it's teaming up with several artists to hold a benefit concert for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund on Sunday, July 13. The 'For the Heart of Texas' concert will be held inside Dell Hall at the Long Center on Saturday. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5. Tickets are 'pay what you want,' starting at a $10 minimum. The concert will feature more than 15 artists, including Aaron Behrens, Bob Schneider, Sara Hickman, Chaparelle, and Next of Kin. The event will also have relief resources, food trucks, and more to gather donations for those impacted by the floods. All proceeds will go directly to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. 10:29 a.m. In Burnet County, officials said only one person remains missing, and the death count remained at five. In total, officials said 63 people have been rescued. Final missing person in Burnet County is Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief 'We have moved all of our resources to one area, which is where [Fire Chief Michael Philips] was last seen. We have a larger group of people searching the banks and areas of cow creek working our way to where this creek dumps into lake Travis,' Burnet County said. The five dead were identified as: 17-year-old Malaya Hammond 22-year-old Preston Prince 57-year-old William Venus 79-year-old Walter Reed One unidentified white male 10:04 a.m. Kerr County officials provided new numbers related to fatalities and those missing after the flash flooding in the area. As of 8 a.m., officials said there were 95 dead in Kerr County, 59 adults and 36 children. There are still five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor missing. In total, 161 people are still missing in Kerr County. Use the video player below to listen to the full news conference. 9:32 a.m. A burn ban is in effect for Northwest Travis County, specifically neighborhoods along Big Sandy Creek, Cow Creek, and other low-lying areas near creeks. It will remain in effect until August 5. Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell recommended the burn ban to support ongoing search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the flooding. 'The large amount of flood debris that accumulated is a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning, ' the county said. 9:00 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff to honor those who lost their lives due to the devastating floods that impacted Texas over the July 4th holiday weekend. Gov. Abbott orders Texas flags to be flown half-staff to honor flood victims 'In heartfelt remembrance of those whose lives were tragically lost in the recent floods, I ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff,' Abbott said. 'Cecilia and I continue to pray for their loved ones as they grieve this unimaginable loss and urge all Texans to continue praying for all impacted by this devastation. Texas stands united in mourning and in our resolve to support those who strive to heal and recover. May God bring comfort to every family affected and strength to the thousands of first responders still working on the ground.' According to the governor's office, the flags should be returned to full-staff at sunrise July 14. 8:00 a.m. Luna, a 9-year-old girl in Kerrville, decided to make bracelets for first responders and volunteers after seeing others doing the same on social media in the aftermath of the flood. KXAN asked her if she had a message to share with the folks she's making the bracelets for. 'Thank you,' she said. Texas Floods: 9-year-old makes bracelets for first responders, volunteers 7:18 a.m. The Burnet County Sheriff said the search for missing Marble Falls Area VFD Chief Phillips is ongoing. 7:09 a.m. KXAN photojournalist Todd Bailey and reporter Mercedez Hernandez were in Leander this morning to assess the damage in the area. 6:00 a.m. 5:43 a.m. The Adam R. Scripps Foundation said it would contribute more than $1,000,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, Texas Search and Rescue, the business community and additional nonprofit organizations. The foundation said it would also match community donations up to $150K. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
