RESCUE MISSION

Texas Flood Deaths Rise to 27 as Authorities Give Grave Update

Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha cautioned that the number of fatalities “are changing rapidly.”

Texas officials say the number of reported fatalities from devastating flash floods across the state is “changing rapidly.” Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha noted that rescuers have recovered 850 people, and 27 people have died thus far. “Of these 27, 18 are adults, 9 are children,” he said at a press conference Saturday. Six adults and one child remain unidentified. With more than a thousand police and fire rescue crews working to recover those still trapped by the floods, Leitha urged people to call or email their emergency flood tip line to report people missing. He vowed that they would not stop until everyone had been recovered. “I can’t tell you how long this will take,” Leitha said. “It’s going to take a while.” Torrential rains in the area on July 4 caused the Guadalupe River to rise about 26 feet in 45 minutes, CBS News reported, resulting in what officials have called a “mass casualty event.” The floods continued into early Saturday morning. In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump said his administration is working with state and local officials to respond to the “tragic flooding.” He added, “Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy.”