Texas Flood update: How many are still missing as rescue team continue to search for victims

Last week, Texas was hit by incessant rainfall and dramatic flash floods. Over a hundred people have already lost their lives, with many missing amid the tragic weekend storm.

While the rescue operations began at the earliest, with teams working relentlessly to save trapped victims and escort them to safer areas, many affected individuals have been reported missing.

On July 10, 2025, CBS News confirmed that over 170 people were missing at that time. Sadly, the number of casualties is surging, too.

Truck buried under Texas flood debris pic.twitter.com/ScMPCDmbQB

— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) July 11, 2025

On Friday, X user Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) shared an image of a vehicle stuck under the debris of the Texas flood.

Central Texas suffered severe damage due to the catastrophe. 

The force of the overflowing Guadalupe River and flood water destroyed houses, broke trees, cut down electricity, ceased road transportation, damaged crops, and caused terrifying destruction all around.

A look at the details on victims still missing in Texas

For around a week, Texas has been grieving the loss of unfortunate deaths and catastrophic damage in several areas.

Kerr County is one of the most devastated areas, and as per officials, 161 were still missing from the area on Thursday, CBS News confirmed.

Over 170 people have gone missing from the state after the tragedy struck over the Fourth of July weekend.

Since the previous week, more and more teams have been deployed at various positions to protect as many lives as possible from under the debris all around.

In every disaster, there is always that one picture that puts the scope of it in perspective.
This picture shows a massive cypress tree on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The missing bark shows the height that the raging waters reached on the tree. #TexasFlood pic.twitter.com/OzFriyRjHo

— Kelly ツ🌊 Kellwoohoo (@kellwoohoo) July 10, 2025

The outlet reported that Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated the loss of at least 121 individuals due to the recent floods. As the most devastated region, Kerr County recorded the deaths of at least 96 people.

On July 8, 2025, Governor Greg spoke about receiving a message, the outlet cited. Detailing the text from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, he noted that the Department of Health and Human Services will announce a public health emergency for the floods in the Texas Hill Country.

He added:

"This will make it easier for health care and mental health providers from out of state to help both by traveling to the area and by telemedicine."

Following the calamity, Camp Mystic has been making the headlines. According to several reports, around 27 girls and counselors lost their lives at the all-girls camp due to the adverse weather conditions.

Six people from the camp, including a child and a counselor, went missing. Search operations were conducted to find them amid the chaos.

On Tuesday, Texas Game Warden Ben Baker spoke with the press and shared updates on the search procedures.

Teams of volunteers, local, state, and federal agencies, and other rescuers have been trying consistently to find the missing victims in the Texas flood.

In response to a question regarding the natural disaster's effects on these members' mental health, Ben Baker explained,

"It's very tragic whenever you see human life. But to see a child in that loss of life, is extremely tragic."

Recent updates on the rise in the death toll in Texas 

Adorable moment a dog was rescued after being swept away by Texas flood, thankfully he held on a tree until help arrived pic.twitter.com/WY8VTcy3Rx

— Puppies 🐶 (@PuppiesIover) July 9, 2025

As per recent reports, over 120 lives were lost in Texas in the past week due to the flood emergency. At the same time, the increase in the number of flood victims in Central Texas has started to level off slowly, according to a report by The Guardian.

The death toll in Kerr County was the same on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

Later, the outlet cited Sergeant Jonathan Lamb of the Kerrville police department providing details about the deceased in Kerr County. According to information provided by him, 60 of the dead victims were adults. And the remaining were kids.

President Donald Trump announced the floods in Texas as a "major disaster" on Sunday. Also, Trump is scheduled to visit the flood-affected Texas with his wife on Friday, the outlet reported. 

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem opened up about examining the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Wednesday. She stated:

"We're cutting through the paperwork of the old FEMA, streamlining it, much like your vision of how FEMA should operate."

As per the Associated Press, The Guardian cited, she further reflected on how citizens helping each other in this calamity shows that

"God created us to take care of each other."

Her comments on FEMA have been making headlines. Reportedly, the Trump administration had earlier proposed phasing out or abolishing FEMA. Now, after the disaster, they have paused dismantling FEMA.

The U.S. has also ordered to position more teams and use federal resources for the ongoing rescue procedures in Texas. FEMA officials also assisted in controlling the unfathomable damage caused over the past week.

On Thursday, their command center was placed in Center Point.

To bolster the search efforts, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stationed a border patrol special tactical unit and the US Coast Guard. 

Sergeant Jonathan Lamb shared necessary updates about the recovery teams working in the field.

On the morning of July 10, he stated that over 2,100 personnel have been positioned in several areas in Texas. Along with them, a team of Mexican firefighters joined the units to assist in rescuing those impacted.

When was the flood warning issued in Texas?

Heavy rainfall in Texas began in the early hours of July 4. The incessant downpours marked the beginning of the devastating flash flooding in Central Texas, especially devastating the Texas Hill Country. 

According to a report by ABC News, the authorities issued flash flood warnings in Bandera County and Kerr County.

The outlet reported the National Weather Service alerting people to a "life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses."

The threat was initially for Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, and the Kerr Wildlife Management area, among others.

At 3:35 AM, the agency made people vigilant, further stating,

"Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life. Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks."

The warning for flash floods was intensified for south-central Kerr County at 4:03 AM. The authorities explained,

"Numerous low water crossings as well as the Guadalupe River at Hunt are flooding. Between 4 and 10 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 4 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring."

The initial updates on the weather triggering flash floods were shared at around 4:35 AM. Officials detailed the reports of flash flooding in regions with low water levels. 

The Kerr County Sheriff's Office announced a "catastrophic flooding" in the morning hours, stating,

"The entire county is an extremely active scene. Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground."

The outlet reported Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr expressing to the media, 

"This came at night when people were asleep in bed. Please pray for our community."

Over the next few hours, the weather conditions worsened dramatically with the Guadalupe River rising and overflowing. The river water level rose as high as 26 to 34 feet, causing widespread devastation.

Recovery efforts are still in action after the weather caused the tragedy over a week ago.