Texas Floods: Rising Death Toll, Missing Persons, and Emergency Response Questions

Devastating Texas Floods

• 💔 The death toll from the Texas Fourth of July flash floods has tragically risen to at least 118 people.
• 😥 In the Kerr County area, more than 170 people are believed to be missing.

Questions Over Emergency Preparedness

• ⚠️ Newly released records indicate that Texas inspectors approved Camp Mystic's emergency planning just two days before the floods.
• 🏕️ Camp Mystic did not evacuate its campers when the river reached flood levels in the early morning hours.
• 📱 RV Resort Park managers reported not receiving any official emergency evacuation warnings on their phones.

Rapidly Rising Waters

• 📈 Data from NOAA shows that waters in Kerrville crested at nearly 35 feet above normal levels.
• 🌊 One resident described water surging through his house, rising from his knees to his waist in less than 10 minutes.
• 🚨 Kerr County does not have a flood siren system in place.

Impact on First Responders and Victims

• 🔍 First responders from emergency services throughout Kerr County promptly responded to the unfolding emergency.
• 😔 There is a significant physical and emotional toll on those searching for flood victims.
• 🛶 Shocking memories include seeing how high flood debris reached along the river banks.

Broader Impact and Aid

• 🗣️ Governor Greg Abbott stated that state elected leaders will work on ideas to address the events.
• 👧 Among those still missing are five young girls and a camp counselor from Camp Mystic.
• 💻 Information on how to help families devastated by the floods is available via a QR code or at cbsnews.com/help Texas.
• ⛰️ In New Mexico, heavy rains triggered flash floods, killing three people, including a man, a four-year-old girl, and a seven-year-old boy.