Texas floods latest: Death toll climbs to 132 as dozens rescued after new round of flash floods

Independent

a day ago

A new round of flash floods tore through Central Texas, triggering dozens of rescues as the death toll climbed to 132.
Emergency crews resumed some recovery efforts Sunday afternoon after heavy rain brought renewed flood threats to Kerr County, temporarily halting operations in a region still reeling from the July 4 flash floods when the Guadalupe River burst its banks.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday that rescue operations were underway in San Saba – where more than nine inches of rain fell – as well as in Lampasas and Schleicher counties. Evacuations were ongoing across Central Texas, with authorities closely monitoring rising waters in Kerrville.
Later Sunday, Abbott wrote on X that 'dozens' of people had been rescued in the Lampasas area, after the Lampasas River surged by 23ft in under four hours.
It comes after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Federal Emergency Management Agency 's response to the deadly floods, asserting that her department acted swiftly and received commendation from state officials.
'Dozens rescued' in Lampasas County as river surges to 33ft in hours
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday the state was making rescues in San Saba – where more than nine inches of rain fell – as well as in Lampasas and Schleicher counties.
Evacuations were taking place in Lampasas, Menard, Kimble and Sutton counties, he said.
By the afternoon, Abbott wrote on X that 'dozens' of people had been rescued in the Lampasas area, after the Lampasas River swelled to 33ft in under four hours.
'Texas Task Force 1 has already rescued dozens of Texans in the Lampasas area,' Abbott he tweeted 'They and other first responders will continue operations to prioritize saving lives.'
James Liddell14 July 2025 09:06
Flash floods possible as thunderstorms sweep through western Hill Country
Torrential rains and thunderstorms continue to sweep through portions of the western Hill Country.
The region could see up to three inches of rain per hour, which is expected to 'result in some renewed flooding concerns,' according to the National Weather Service.
James Liddell14 July 2025 08:57
Recovery efforts resume after fresh wave of flash floods delay searches
Emergency crews resumed recovery efforts Sunday afternoon after heavy rain brought renewed flood threats to Kerr County, temporarily halting operations in a region still reeling from the July 4 flash floods when the Guadalupe River burst its banks.
Officials said recovery efforts in western Kerr County were expected to resume around 3 p.m. local time.
James Liddell14 July 2025 08:48
Noem denies report she held up FEMA response to floods
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response to the deadly floods that ravaged Texas last week, asserting that her department acted swiftly and received commendation from state officials.
Speaking on NBC News' Meet the Press, Noem vehemently denied claims that a directive she issued in June — requiring her approval for FEMA expenditures exceeding $100,000 — had impeded the agency's response speed.
'Those claims are absolutely false,' Noem stated. 'Within just an hour or two after the flooding, we had resources from the Department of Homeland Security there.'
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 07:00
National Weather Service flood watch extended to Monday morning
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 06:15
FEMA let Camp Mystic operate in 100-year flood zone despite deadly warnings for years: 'Particularly disturbing'
Federal regulators repeatedly approved appeals to remove Camp Mystic's buildings from their 100-year flood map, easing oversight as the camp operated and expanded in a hazardous floodplain in the years leading up to the central Texas flash floods of July 4, according to new reporting by The Associated Press.
Oliver O'Connell has more:
FEMA let Camp Mystic operate inside 100-year flood zone despite deadly warnings
Federal regulators repeatedly granted appeals to remove Camp Mystic's buildings from their 100-year flood map, as the camp operated and expanded in a dangerous floodplain
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 05:30
Trump calls reporter 'evil' for asking Texas flood question
Trump calls reporter 'evil' for asking Texas flood question
Donald Trump branded a reporter 'evil' after he was asked if warnings could have prevented a high death toll in the Texas floods. The US president lashed out during a press conference on Friday (11 July), when a journalist from CBS News Texas asked him what he would say to grieving families who believe 'warnings didn't go out in time'. Mr Trump applauded the efforts of all involved in the rescue effort, before sternly stating: 'Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you, I don't know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that. This has been heroism.'
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 04:30
Heavy rain stalls ongoing search efforts in Texas
Torrential rain and strong winds hit central Texas Sunday, forcing rescuers to halt search operations for victims even one week on from the first of the devastating floods in the region.
A slow-moving storm set off flood warnings in several places along the Guadalupe River. Officials and local residents are still ready for further disaster.
However, the rain began to ease up in some parts by midafternoon, meaning some flood warnings were downgraded to flood watches.
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 03:30
Watch: Hundreds of Texas pets rescued following deadly floods
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 02:30
Recap: Texas floods mapped – the affected areas as death toll rises
At least 170 people are still missing in Central Texas, as death toll rises to 129
Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 01:37