Sen. Ted Cruz, county officials say at least 75 dead in Kerr County, search and rescue continues after flooding
Texas Senator Ted Cruz joined Kerr County officials Monday during a news conference to update the public on the rescue and recovery efforts in Central Texas following the catastrophic flash flooding.
More than 100 people are dead and dozens more are missing, with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River. Kerr County officials said over 850 high-water rescues have been completed across the region.
Of the fatalities so far, 96 have occurred in Kerr County. The dead include 60 adults and 36 children, with 15 of the adults and nine of the children unidentified.
It was also confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic died, including three girls from the Dallas area. Officials said 10 girls and one counselor remained unaccounted for on Monday.
"This will be a rough week," said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring. He asked for prayers for the community as they try to remain hopeful in rescuing more residents.
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice also asked those who want to volunteer to go through the proper channels and contact the Kerrville Salvation Army to register to maintain safety.
Rice said the area is unstable in some parts due to technical issues and over 40 downed power lines, leaving significant damage. There's no timeline on when power will be restored for most residents.
Law enforcement from over 19 agencies will continue to do welfare checks, as officials work to gather an official number of residents who are accounted for following the devastation.
Watch the full news conference below:
Cruz says Texas "will come through this."
Cruz said in times such as these, it's inspiring to see how Texans come together. Cruz shared that he had spoken to multiple victims' families who are seeking answers.
"For many of us, those are friends and neighbors who have lost children," he said.
Cruz also addressed concerns over blame and what he called "partisan finger-pointing" over cuts to the National Weather Service by the Trump administration.
Cruz assured he spoke with President Trump on the phone over the weekend, to which the president said, "Anything Texas needs, the answer is yes."
He said in time, there will be a reasonable conversation to discuss what changes to responses need to be made moving forward.
Abbott says the flood response will be evaluated
Frustration for some is growing over warnings and evacuation orders given ahead of the storms.
Abbott announced during Sunday's press conference, the response to the flooding in Kerrville will be addressed in the upcoming special session on July 21.
"We need to evaluate what they know, how they respond, what they need," Abbott said.
Trump signs federal disaster declaration for Kerr County
President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday morning, as Abbott visited flood-damaged areas. Abbott encouraged all Texans to pause in reflection and prayer Sunday, and to also "seek God's wisdom, peace, and mercy in this time of need for so many Texas families."
On Saturday, Abbott said that 850 people have been rescued in the past 36 hours.
Rescuers scoured flooded riverbanks littered with mangled trees Saturday and turned over rocks in the search for more than two dozen children from a girls' camp and many others missing after a wall of water blasted down a river in the Texas Hill Country. Martin said there are still unidentified victims at funeral homes that include adults and children.
Martin said Sunday that there is "no higher priority than finding those children."
Water rose 26 feet in 45 minutes
The destructive fast-moving waters rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes before daybreak Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. The danger was not over as torrential rains continued to pound communities outside San Antonio on Saturday, and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect.
Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue stranded people in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads.
"People need to know today will be a hard day," Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. said Saturday. "Please pray for our community."
Authorities came under growing scrutiny Saturday and Sunday over whether the camps and residents in places long vulnerable to flooding received proper warning and whether enough preparations were made.
The hills along the Guadalupe River in central Texas are dotted with century-old youth camps and campgrounds where generations of families have come to swim and enjoy the outdoors. The area is especially popular around the July Fourth holiday, making it more difficult to know how many are missing.
"We don't even want to begin to estimate at this time," said City Manager Dalton Rice said on Saturday morning.