PHOTO: Carter Johnston for The New York Times
Death Toll Continues to Rise as Rescue Operations Enter Second Week
One week after devastating flash floods swept through Central Texas during the July 4th weekend, rescue teams continue their desperate search for more than 160 people still unaccounted for across the region
Fatalities: At least 121 people have died marking this as one of the deadliest flooding events in Texas history.
Missing Persons: More than 173 people are reported missing, with more than 160 people known to be missing in Kerr County alone.
Affected Counties: The six counties most severely affected include:
- Kerr County (hardest hit): At least 97 fatalities confirmed
- Travis County: Now reporting eight fatalities
- Burnet County: Two fatalities confirmed
- Kendall County: One fatality confirmed
- Tom Green County: One fatality confirmed
- Williamson County: Three confirmed deaths
The Initial Disaster: A July 4th Weekend Tragedy
The catastrophic flooding began on July 4th when torrential downpours dumped between 4 to 6 inches of rain across Central Texas, with some areas receiving over 10 inches. The deluge triggered multiple flash flood emergencies as rivers and creeks rapidly swelled beyond their banks, turning what should have been a holiday weekend into a tragedy that would claim dozens of lives.
Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a youth summer camp in Hunt along the Guadalupe River, where 27 campers and counselors perished in the flooding. The camp’s owner and director, Dick Eastland, 74, died attempting to save girls at the facility, according to local media reports.
The tragedy at Camp Mystic became a focal point of the disaster, highlighting the vulnerability of those caught in the path of the rushing waters.
Seven Days of Relentless Search Efforts
The rescue operation has been nothing short of massive, involving more than 400 first responders from over 20 agencies. Operations stretch across a 60-mile corridor from Hunt to Comal County, covering some of the most challenging terrain in the Texas Hill Country.
President Donald Trump is expected to tour the region today.
Governor Greg Abbott, who has maintained a visible presence throughout the crisis, vowed to continue rescue and recovery efforts “until every missing person is accounted for.” The state has mobilized all available resources, with Abbott directing state agencies to prioritize lifesaving operations in what he characterized as a 24-hour operation.
Did state officials have opportunities to prevent this from happening?
The search has been hampered by difficult conditions. Rescue teams have had to navigate treacherous terrain littered with debris, while intermittent rainfall has continued to complicate efforts. Despite these challenges, officials have conducted more than 160 air rescues and have successfully rescued over 850 people, with eight requiring medical attention.
On top of everything else, the area is reporting incidents of looting.
The Human Cost Becomes Clear
The scope of the tragedy has become increasingly apparent as the days have passed. The death toll has risen dramatically from the initial 24 reported on July 4th to 121 as of this morning. Among the victims, 36 were children, underscoring the heartbreaking nature of this disaster.
The missing persons count has fluctuated as rescue teams work to account for everyone. While initially focused on Camp Mystic, the search has expanded across multiple counties. As of the latest reports, at least 150 people remain missing in Kerr County alone, with additional missing persons reported in other areas of the state.
Travis County emergency responders continue their urgent search for four missing persons. The devastating flash floods have claimed at least eight lives in Travis County alone.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of four people who died in the floods. All of them are from Leander.
TxDOT is working to design a new Cow Creek Bridge
Floods destroyed Travis County bridges, cutting off communities. What will it take to rebuild them? (KUT 90.5)
A new resource to help flood victims in parts of northwest Travis County opened Thursday in Leander.
The Travis County Office of Emergency Management has a page dedicated to resources and information for those affected by the floods.
Burnet County officials have announced that a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will open today at the Burnet Community Center. (CBS Austin)
Eight people suffered injuries after a crash on I-35 last night.
The Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) initiated a membership vote on Thursday regarding their confidence in Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker. This action follows accusations from AFA President Bob Nicks, who claims Chief Baker delayed the deployment of Austin Fire Department (AFD) resources to Kerr County prior to the catastrophic flooding that occurred over the Independence Day weekend. (KXAN-TV)
Capital Area Crime Stoppers announced the arrest of a wanted fugitive.
Three teens were arrested in connection with throwing frozen water bottles at moving cars in Leander back in May. (FOX7 Austin)
Williamson County is reporting its first human case of West Nile virus.
Bastrop County health officials are also sounding the alarm on mosquitos.
Indeed is reducing its global workforce by 6% due to consolidation driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. This makes Indeed the latest tech company to cut jobs because of AI. The effect on Indeed’s Austin operations, which employ around 2,000 people, is currently unclear. (Austin American-Statesman)
Good news for air travelers…
As of Thursday, all property owners in Austin must comply with new air conditioning standards. These standards were adopted by the Austin City Council in April, following a three-month notice period before implementation.
With summer temperatures climbing, city officials are hopeful these new regulations will ensure safer living conditions for all residents. (KVUE-TV)
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Scorching heat and blazing sun will challenge recovery efforts in Texas’ flood-ravaged Hill Country as the region settles into a more typical July weather pattern. (AccuWeather)
Devastating flooding has claimed three lives, including two children, in New Mexico.
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton announced Thursday that she has filed for divorce from her husband of 38 years, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, citing “biblical grounds” for the dissolution of their marriage.
The filing comes as Ken Paxton is mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Senator John Cornyn for the Republican nomination in next year’s U.S. Senate race.
According to divorce documents obtained by news outlets, Angela Paxton has accused her husband of adultery. The filing indicates that the couple stopped living together around June 1, 2024, more than a year before the formal divorce petition was filed.
The divorce petition also requests that Angela Paxton receive a “disproportionate share of the parties'” assets, though specific details about the couple’s financial arrangements have not been made public.
Ken Paxton issued his own statement on X approximately 20 minutes after his wife’s announcement, framing the divorce in different terms.
The divorce filing creates significant political complications for Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign. The Attorney General launched his bid to unseat Senator Cornyn in what is considered one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in the country. The personal scandal threatens to overshadow his campaign message and could provide ammunition for his opponents.
Ken Paxton has been a controversial figure in Texas politics, having survived an impeachment trial in 2023 related to allegations of abuse of office. He was acquitted by the state Senate but has continued to face scrutiny over various allegations throughout his tenure as Attorney General.
The Paxtons’ marriage has been under public scrutiny in recent years, particularly during Ken Paxton’s impeachment proceedings and various legal controversies. Angela Paxton, who has served in the Texas State Senate since 2019, notably recused herself from her husband’s impeachment trial due to the obvious conflict of interest.
The couple’s relationship has been in the political spotlight as both have maintained prominent positions in Texas Republican politics. Angela Paxton has built her own political career, serving constituents in Senate District 8, while her husband has been one of the most high-profile conservative attorneys general in the nation.
Texas Republicans are signaling a possible redrawing of the state’s congressional map in a move that’s likely to spark legal battles and deepen partisan divides.
In West Texas, an independent publisher’s arrest sparks First Amendment questions. (Texas Tribune)
Bexar County officials announce the arrest of a man in a child sexual assault case.
Texas’ Ten Most Wanted has a new member.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments approved $3.5 million in funding to keep the Amtrak Heartland Flyer operating for another year, maintaining the crucial rail connection between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.
(Episode from July 10, 2025)
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC announced that forward Brandon Vazquez will miss the rest of the season.
MLB: Double digits for the Texas Rangers last night.
Marcus Semien went 4 for 5 and Corey Seager hit a two-run single in a seven-run third inning to help the Texas Rangers rout the Los Angeles Angels 11-4 on Thursday night for a split of their four-game series. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Houston Astros were off Thursday.
ON THE SCHEDULE
It’s an intrastate matchup this weekend in Houston.
AL WEST STANDINGS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Texas has lost another recruiting battle.
A visit to Lexington, home of the legendary Snow’s BBQ — once named the #1 BBQ joint in Texas by Texas Monthly and still a weekend-only mecca for meat lovers.
