By Emily Herr

The Scoop Digital Newspaper: July 2025

Kerrville, TX (July 6, 2025) – Days after catastrophic flash floods ravaged Central Texas, including areas with ties to Houston, authorities are continuing to grapple with a rising death toll, a significant number of unidentified victims, and an intensive search for dozens of missing individuals. While specific numbers for Houston itself are still being clarified, the broader Central Texas region, particularly Kerr County, has borne the brunt of the disaster, with ripple effects felt across the state.

As of Sunday, July 6, the confirmed death toll across Central Texas has climbed to nearly 70. Kerr County alone accounts for at least 59 fatalities, including 21 children. Tragically, officials expect this number to rise as search and recovery efforts persist.

Unidentified Victims Remain a Challenge

A critical challenge for authorities is the identification of victims. In Kerr County, where the most significant loss of life occurred, 22 bodies remain unidentified. This includes 18 adults and 4 children. Efforts are underway, with some unidentified remains being transported to the University of North Texas for genetic analysis in hopes of bringing closure to grieving families.

The sheer force of the floodwaters, which rose by an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes in some areas, has made identification difficult, underscoring the horrific nature of the disaster.

Desperate Search for the Missing Continues

The search for missing persons is an ongoing and heartbreaking undertaking. While some individuals initially reported missing have been located safe or, tragically, identified among the deceased, a significant number remain unaccounted for.

Camp Mystic, a beloved all-girls summer camp in Kerr County, has been at the epicenter of the missing persons crisis. As of Sunday, 11 campers and one camp counselor from Camp Mystic are still missing. Families with loved ones at the camp and other affected areas are facing an agonizing wait, clinging to hope for miracles.

Beyond Camp Mystic, at least 41 individuals are known to be missing across the wider Central Texas region. Authorities have established hotlines and email addresses for families to report missing loved ones, urging the public to contact official channels rather than conducting independent searches, which can hinder professional rescue operations.

Over 850 people have been rescued in the initial 36 hours of the disaster, a testament to the heroic efforts of first responders from local, county, state, and federal agencies. Helicopters, boats, and drones are being utilized in the ongoing search, with officials vowing to continue until “everybody is found.”

The disaster has prompted an outpouring of support, with Governor Greg Abbott declaring a day of prayer and numerous organizations offering aid. However, questions are also being raised about the adequacy of warnings and evacuation procedures, particularly for vulnerable areas like summer camps.

As floodwaters slowly recede, the full extent of the devastation is still coming into focus. The recovery effort is anticipated to be a long and arduous task, with communities united in grief and the determination to find every last missing person.

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The Scoop Digital Newspaper
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