Dangerous flooding persisted in Central Texas over the weekend, with authorities working to locate numerous missing individuals swept away by floodwaters on the Fourth of July. Fresh flooding was reported along the San Gabriel River, the Brazos River, and Burnet County, situated on the north and west sides of Austin. In Burnet County, heavy rainfall ranging from 6 to 12 inches on Saturday morning triggered a Flash Flood Emergency, prompting authorities to conduct numerous water rescues, particularly along the Colorado River. Among the missing was a first responder who had been responding to a call for service, as confirmed by Burnet County officials. Due to the holiday weekend, the exact number of missing persons remains unclear in many instances, as the affected areas are predominantly rural and utilized for camping and recreational activities. Most of the victims discovered so far were from Kerr County, where an event was underway at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls. Local authorities have reported that 32 individuals, including children and adults, have been found deceased in the Texas Hill Country, with a similar number still unaccounted for. Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the necessity for unity and divine intervention in the face of this crisis, pledging robust support and resources at all levels of government until every missing person is located. Flood alerts were active for over 6 million Texans, with lingering tropical moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry contributing to prolonged rainfall and storm activity. The continuous precipitation led to rapid rises in water levels, catching both residents and visitors off guard as floodwaters surged eastward through the state towards the Gulf. Authorities reassured the public that crucial infrastructure like dams would withstand the pressure downstream, while the primary focus of rescue efforts remained around areas where rainfall was intensifying river and creek levels. The inclement weather was forecasted to persist into the following day, posing ongoing flood risks for low-lying regions and communities situated along waterways. This recent flooding event has drawn comparisons to the catastrophic 1987 disaster that claimed multiple lives in the region. As per the National Weather Service (NWS), slow-moving thunderstorms on July 16 and 17 unleashed substantial rainfall of 5 to 10 inches over the Guadalupe River basin. The resulting flood wave surged downstream, devastating towns such as Ingram, Kerrville, and Comfort, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate urgently. The traumatic impact of this historic event lingers in the collective memory of those residing in the Texas Hill Country.
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