The death toll from the catastrophic Texas Hill Country flood has reached 119 with at least 173 confirmed missing in Kerr and Travis counties.
As of Wednesday, 94 deceased had been recovered in Kerr County, including 59 adults and 36 children, the sheriff’s office said. Identification is pending for 14 adults and 13 children. Five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for.
State authorities have confirmed 161 missing in Kerr County. At least seven people are confirmed dead and 10 confirmed missing in Travis County. Other confirmed deaths include eight in Kendall; five in Burnet plus one missing; three dead and one missing in Williamson; and one confirmed dead in Tom Green counties, local authorities report.
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is asking community members “to NOT conduct debris management on their property until directed by local officials. There is a burn ban in effect until further notice.”
It also said, “Amazing acts of kindness and charity are happening – from our neighbors, from complete strangers, and from charities all over the state. Texans are stepping up for Texans. While we have some tough days both now and ahead, progress is being made. Stay strong, Kerr County!”
Those who believe someone they know is still missing in Kerr County are encouraged to call 830-258-1111 or email [email protected]. In other counties, they are encouraged to contact the Red Cross or local authorities.
Those who suffered property damage are encouraged to report it through the state’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. Information about damaged homes or businesses is encouraged to be reported at damage.tdem.texas.gov.
Information about flood resources, flood safety, reporting damages, volunteering and receiving recovery assistance, can be found at disaster.texas.gov.
Flooding conditions continue to affect multiple regions statewide, including Central Texas, the Hill Country, Big Country, and the Concho Valley.
As flooding threats persist, members of the public are encouraged to monitor local forecasts, follow local authorities’ warnings and remember the life-saving message: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
A toll-free Disaster Distress Helpline has been made available by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Anyone needing immediate counseling can call 800-985-5900 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 day or night 24/7.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in 21 counties may apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed by August 4. Eligible residents can request replacement food benefits by dialing 2-1-1; after choosing a language, select option 7. A form may also be downloaded online.
Eligible counties for SNAP extensions include Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson.
Lost Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food and formula can be replaced through July 31 by visiting a local WIC office in person.
The governor is encouraging those who want to donate to support recovery efforts to do so through the Central Texas Flood Recovery Fund. The fund claims “that 100% of every donated dollar goes directly to local recovery efforts” to organizations working with community foundations, long-term recovery groups, local governments, and nonprofit organizations throughout the affected region.
It’s supporting recovery efforts in Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties.
Donations will help “Stabilize communities through essential recovery services provided by local organizations; Fund long-term recovery operations that support community-based rebuilding efforts; and Repair and rebuild damaged homes and community infrastructure through nonprofit partnerships,” it says.
Links to other donation request information can be found here. The Office of the Attorney General posted information about a range of scams that can occur during and after disasters.
Texas has deployed more than 2,200 personnel and more than 1,200 vehicles and equipment assets as part of Hill Country recovery efforts. More than 20 state agencies are currently responding to flooding threats across the state, engaged in debris removal and search and recovery efforts, The Center Square reported.
Texas response efforts are also being supported by multiple states, including Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
