Number of missing in deadly Texas floods drops to three

July 20, 2025

The recent flash floods in Texas following a July 4th torrential downpour have resulted in 135 deaths, including children at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River, while the number of missing persons has dramatically decreased from 160 to just three. Officials in Kerrville, the disaster's epicenter, credit more than 1,000 federal, state, and local personnel who worked tirelessly on search and rescue operations to locate those initially reported missing. At Camp Mystic, at least 27 campers and staff perished when the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, prompting questions about the adequacy of warnings and evacuation procedures.

Who is affected

Residents of Texas, particularly in Kerr County and surrounding areas
Families of the 135 people killed in the floods
Families of the three people still missing
Camp Mystic community, where 27 campers and staff died
Residents living along the Guadalupe River
People who were initially reported missing but have since been found safe

What action is being taken

More than 1,000 federal, state and local officials are working on search and rescue operations
Officials are tracking down missing people and reuniting them with their families
Search teams are continuing efforts to locate the three people still missing
The city of Kerrville is coordinating investigative work to verify the safety of previously missing individuals
Local government officials are providing updates through social media platforms

Why it matters

The disaster has caused significant loss of life, with 135 people killed including children
The dramatic reduction in missing persons (from 160 to 3) provides relief to many affected families
Questions about warning systems and evacuation procedures may lead to improved emergency protocols
The tragedy highlights vulnerabilities in the region's disaster preparedness, particularly for facilities like summer camps
The flood's rapid onset (26 feet in 45 minutes) demonstrates the extreme danger of flash floods

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC