Latest news with #missingPersons
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Entire family swept away in Texas floods as search for victims takes grim new turn
In an area nearly four times the size of Manhattan, the search continues for the dead and missing in Texas Hill Country. After catastrophic flooding July 4, at least 173 people are still missing while 119 others have already been confirmed dead. Among those yet to be located is an entire family; Leonardo Romero, his wife Natalia Venzor, and their one-year-old son Carlos. All that's left of their riverfront home is the cement slab after their mobile home was washed away with them in it. In a grim turn, Erica remained hopeful her daughter would be found alive because Natalia's 19-year-old step-son, Leo Jr., who was also in the house the morning the of the flooding, was found in debris in the Guadalupe River, not far from the house. However, there has been no sign of his step-mom, his dad or baby brother five days later. 'It's been torture, just pure torture,' Natalia Venzor's mom, Erica, told of waiting to learn of her daughter's fate. Leo Jr. was hospitalized due to his injures after spending nearly four hours waiting to be rescued. 'I went and gave DNA in case they find them deceased, even though I'm hoping they're not found that way. I'm hoping they're still alive,' Erica explained. The missing family's neighbor, Greg Atkins, told Daily Mail state and local search and rescue crews have not been to the property looking for them. 'Leo was a sweet, dear, precious man,' Atkins said of the missing father. 'The Hispanic community came together for Leo. They came down here the day it started and they had a Bobcat that had a scoop on it, and they were tearing into the remains of (Leo's) house that was wrapped around that tree, hoping to find him.' Natalia's believes not everyone who is missing has had the same resources as the missing children from Camp Mystic. 'No, not really. It's like they're mainly focusing on Camp Mystic,' Venzor added. Thursday morning, rescue teams moved into untouched areas of Kerrville. Teams searched the south bank of the Guadalupe River, across from various camp grounds and RV park where many of the missing were last seen. With heavy equipment, first responders moved giant trees and debris piles that dwarfed excavators and back hoes, looking for human remains. Areas that had been cleared were marked in green to signify attention could be paid elsewhere. Each team is quipped with body bags. The search reached this section of the river late Tuesday, and three bodies were discovered not long after. Cadaver canines raced into the bank with renewed pressure to find those were haven't been seen since Friday. Volunteer Joy Molina, who lives just 40 feet from the river, believes the number of missing will exceed even what the state has publicly said. 'This whole area was filled with campers and people,' she said pointing across the water to north side of the Guadalupe. 'Hardly any of them made it out.' No one has been found alive since Friday, officials confirmed Tuesday. But that's not the point for the volunteers who have driven from Austin, San Antonio, and Houston to give their time. 'We're here to give closure,' one veteran from Austin told Daily Mail. Another man took days from his real estate business in San Antonio. 'I just want to do what I can,' he said as he put on water boots. Like worker bees, they arrived by the dozen, following the direction of trained first responders. Activity came to a stop when a SWAT vehicle with blue and red lights flashing showed up. Uniformed members of the Kerr County Sheriff's Office jumped out and inspected an area where a glove in the water had become a focal point. 'They found a glove that looked like it had been worn recently,' one of the homeowners told Daily Mail. 'It had a nail imprint on it. Quite frankly it looked like a hand sticking out of the water.' A gully was going to be drained of water so whatever was attached to the glove could be inspected. However, not everyone is activity searching for bodies. Some of the volunteers are simply there to support each other. The train professionals are leading the way. Behind them are a wave of volunteers with special skills. Some might be using their personal chain saws to cut through fallen branches and clear trees out of the way. Others might be operating equipment like fork lifts. Volunteers are feeding the rescue teams and making sure they have what the need to find the missing. 'If all I can do is bring them water, then I've done what I can,' Molina, who loving organized hydration stations with water, cold drinks and snacks, explained. She hauled away their trash and set up canopies for shade and chairs for a few minutes rest so first responders could rest in what is sure to be sweltering and humid day. 'Another showed up yesterday, 'I'm here to flip burgers,'' he told her. 'Everyone does what they can. I've been trying to keep busy. Keep my mind of things.'
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Focus on first responders' mental health grows as death toll rises in flood-ravaged Texas
INGRAM, Texas — Riding on horseback through brush and over numerous dead turkeys, Margo Mellon spent Tuesday scanning the flood-ravaged ground of Texas' Hill Country for dead bodies. As she and her rescue mates trudged through the muddy terrain, state officials announced that more than 160 people are still believed to be missing. With countless miles swamped by the floods, nobody knows when the searches will end.
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Searchers in helicopters and on horseback scour Texas flood debris for the missing
HUNT, Texas — As the search in Texas continued Wednesday for more than 160 people believed to be missing days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people , the full extent of the catastrophe had yet to be revealed as officials warned that unaccounted victims could still be found amid the massive piles of debris that stretch for miles.
Al Jazeera
7 days ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Texas floods leave over 160 missing, death toll rises to 109
Published On 9 Jul 2025 9 Jul 2025 More than 160 people remain unaccounted for after devastating floods in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced, marking a dramatic increase in the number of missing from a disaster that has already killed 109 people. Four days after flash floods ravaged several Texas counties, some striking while residents slept, hopes of finding survivors by Tuesday have dwindled – and Abbott warned that the number of missing people could still rise further. 'Just in the Kerr County area alone, there are 161 people who are known to be missing,' he told reporters on Tuesday as the grim search continued. 'There very likely could be more added to that list,' he added, explaining that the figure comes from individuals reported missing by friends, relatives and neighbours. Kerr County, located in central Texas's 'Flash Flood Alley,' suffered the most catastrophic impact, with at least 94 confirmed deaths. This toll includes at least 27 girls and counsellors who were staying at a youth summer camp along the Guadalupe River when it overflowed early on Friday morning as the Fourth of July holiday began. Powerful floodwaters surged through the camp, demolishing cabins while hundreds slept. As of Tuesday evening, five campers and one counsellor remained missing, according to Abbott, along with another child not associated with the camp. 'There's nothing more important in our hearts and minds than the people of this community, especially those who are still lost,' Abbott said. Throughout the rest of the state, at least 15 additional deaths have been recorded, the governor added. Ben Baker with the Texas game wardens explained that search and rescue operations using helicopters, drones and dogs face tremendous obstacles due to water and mud. 'When we're trying to make these recoveries, these large piles can be very obstructive, and to get in deep into these piles, it's very hazardous,' Baker said. 'It's extremely treacherous, time-consuming. It's dirty work, the water is still there.'
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
More than 160 people remain unaccounted for days after deadly Texas floods
For more on this story: More than 160 people remain unaccounted for after devastating floods in Texas, the governor of the US state said on July 8, 2025. The estimate marked a dramatic increase in the number of missing following the tragedy, which so far is known to have claimed 109 lives. Hopes of finding survivors are fading four days after flash floods roared through several Texas counties.
