Kerrville, Texas – Officials have significantly revised the number of people still missing after devastating floods struck Kerr County over the Fourth of July holiday, reducing the count from at least 97 to just three, according to an update issued on July 19.
The announcement came from the Kerr County Flood Disaster Joint Information Center, which stated that the sharp reduction in the number of missing persons is the result of extensive follow-up and verification work carried out by multiple agencies.
“Through extensive follow-up work among state and local agencies, many individuals who were initially reported as missing have been verified as safe and removed from the list,” said a statement from the City of Kerrville.
Local Leaders Thank Responders
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice expressed gratitude to the more than 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel who have been involved in search, rescue, and recovery efforts since the floods struck in the early morning hours of July 4.
“This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of coordinated search and rescue operations, careful investigative work, and an unwavering commitment to bringing clarity and hope to families during an unimaginably difficult time,” Rice said.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly also acknowledged the dedication of law enforcement officers and volunteers who worked to confirm the status of individuals initially reported missing.
“Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion have brought comfort and answers to so many,” he said.
Kelly had previously explained that a large portion of those unaccounted for were visitors or tourists who had traveled to the region to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and concerts.
Scale of the Disaster
The flooding, described as historic, occurred when the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks in the early hours of July 4, catching many residents and visitors by surprise. The disaster prompted an immediate and wide-scale emergency response.
On July 15, Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that 97 people were still missing—down from over 160 reported earlier in the week. The updated figure of three still missing represents significant progress in the aftermath of the tragedy.
As of July 17, the statewide death toll stood at 135, with 116 of those fatalities occurring in Kerr County alone, according to Governor Abbott.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Recovery operations are continuing, with authorities still searching for the three individuals who remain unaccounted for. Officials stress that while the progress in identifying the missing has been encouraging, efforts are far from over as the community continues to heal and rebuild.
