Morning update: Officials confirm 75 deaths, 11 still missing from summer camp

As of Monday’s 10 a.m. press conference on search efforts for flood victims, officials confirmed the recovery of 75 bodies in Kerr County, including 48 adults and 27 children. Of that total, 15 adults and nine children are pending identification. Additionally, 10 campers from Camp Mystic and one counselor remain unaccounted for. While Camp Mystic posted it had lost all 27 girls and counselors, officials did not confirm that report.

“We continue to offer condolences to those affected,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. “Reuniting the families remains our top priority here in this operation,” 

Sen. Ted Cruz, who attended the briefing, shared that his girls have gone to camp in the area for a decade. 

“The natural beauty here is incredible,” Cruz said. “The camps that have raised generations of little girls and little boys and instilled character and love and faith are extraordinary institutions.” 

He discussed the resilience of Texans when tragedies strike, describing a story he heard of a Hunt camp counselor who stood neck deep in water holding up two mattresses with young campers on them as they awaited rescue.

He went on to thank the first responders at city, county, state and federal levels, and then fielded questions that again focused primarily on the timing of the flood alerts. 

Search operations continue

Highway 39 of Old Ingram Loop remains closed to the public as search and rescue operations continue. Search and rescue operations will continue today from Hunt in North Kerr County all the way to Canyon Lake in Comal County.

Rice said search and rescue operations are currently focused on the Kerr County side but will methodically continue to spread. 

“From Hunt all the way to Comal County, in a straight-line distance, is over 100 kilometers,” Rice said. “This is a massive field … and again, this is an unprecedented flood event.” 

The search effort, which involves 19 local and state agencies using boats, ground teams, search dogs, drones and helicopters, is still in the primary search phase, “which is the rapid one.” 

“We have different segments that are gridded out,” he said. “Weach one of those segments are taking anywhere between an hour to three hours, up to two kilometers for each segment. What that means is that they’re running into a lot of technical challenges with terrain, with water, even potentially … with weather.” 

More than 850 high-water rescues have been conducted since the flooding began, Senator Cruz said, emphasizing the extensive rescue operations that have been underway.

“We’re still in the primary search phase,” Rice said, noting that search segments can take one to three hours to cover just over a mile due to difficult terrain and high water levels.

Officials stressed that volunteers must stay away from search areas to avoid becoming victims themselves and to prevent interference with professional operations.

Missing Persons Hotline

Families searching for missing loved ones can call 830-258-1111 or email floodrecoveryco.curr.tx.us. Rice said the hotline receives numerous calls, including scam attempts targeting grieving families, and all reports require careful verification.

Infrastructure Damage

The Kerrville Public Utility Board reported widespread power outages between Hunt and Ingram along the South Fork of the Guadalupe River. About 40 power lines are down, and several substations are destroyed or inaccessible due to debris. No timeline has been given for power restoration.

The city will likely operate on well water for about four weeks due to debris, chemicals and gasoline contamination in surface water supplies. Additionally, Highway 39 of Old Ingram Loop remains closed to the public, with access restricted only to residents of that immediate area. 

How to Help

Volunteers: Contact the Salvation Army at 830-465-4797 or visit 855 Hays Street in Kerrville. Officials emphasized the need for coordinated volunteers only.

Donations: Monetary contributions can be made at communityfoundation.net, where a Kerr County relief fund has been established.

Updates: Follow the City of Kerrville’s Facebook page for current information.