Search and recovery operations resumed on Monday along the Guadalupe River in Texas, where devastating flooding over the Fourth of July weekend has claimed the lives of at least 132 people, with more than 160 others still missing in Kerr County alone. The situation remains fluid, as severe weather continues to complicate recovery efforts and threaten further disaster.
Crews were forced to pause operations on Sunday after a fresh wave of storms triggered flash flood warnings and necessitated high-water rescues elsewhere in the region. The Ingram Fire Department ordered an immediate evacuation of the Guadalupe River corridor, citing a high risk of sudden water surges. The delay marked the first time search efforts were suspended since the flooding began.
Authorities resumed efforts early Monday morning, amid hopes of clearer weather and improving conditions, although forecasters have warned of the potential for additional rain throughout the week.
The floods, which began in the early hours of 4th July, swept through parts of Kerrville, Ingram, and surrounding communities after days of heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River and its tributaries to overflow. Entire neighbourhoods were submerged with little warning, and questions are now being raised about whether local officials provided timely alerts to residents.
Early Sunday morning, as new storms approached, emergency personnel conducted door-to-door evacuations in vulnerable neighbourhoods and issued emergency phone alerts warning of possible repeat flooding. Residents, many of whom are still grappling with the loss of homes and loved ones, were asked to stay vigilant as river levels remained unstable.
Kerr County officials have acknowledged that communication systems were stretched during the initial flood event. In response to growing criticism, the county has promised a full review of emergency protocols once the current crisis subsides.
This latest disaster comes amid a year of increasingly extreme weather events across the United States, raising concerns about climate resilience, infrastructure preparedness, and flood management systems. July has already seen record-breaking rainfall in several southern states, with Texas bearing the brunt of back-to-back storm systems.
As the search for the missing continues, emergency services have been bolstered by federal disaster teams and volunteer rescue units, many of whom are working around the clock despite treacherous conditions. Mental health teams have also been deployed to support survivors and families awaiting news of loved ones.
Officials are urging residents across the state to monitor emergency alerts, avoid flood-prone areas, and report missing persons as soon as possible. The confirmed death toll is expected to rise in the coming days as searches expand to more remote and heavily impacted regions.
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