KERRVILLE, Texas — The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Kerr County climbed to 68 Monday as officials warned uncoordinated volunteers to stay away from the disaster zone and declared the Guadalupe River unsuitable for all activities due to unprecedented contamination.

Sheriff Larry Leitha said 40 adults and 28 children have been confirmed dead, with 18 adults and 10 children still pending identification. Ten Camp Mystic campers and one counselor remain missing, though all other campers have been rescued and reunited with families.

“We have a ton of resources, equipment, manpower and food,” Leitha said at a Monday afternoon press conference. “We do have it under control.”

The sheriff discouraged well-meaning volunteers from entering the search area, saying uncoordinated efforts could hamper professional rescue operations involving hundreds of first responders from local, state and federal agencies.

River Declared Unsafe

Upper Guadalupe River Authority General Manager Tara Bushnoe warned that the Guadalupe River and its tributaries are now unsuitable for all activities due to contamination and ongoing emergency operations.

“The public should stay away from the river and creeks for this reason and also at the request of our emergency responders,” Bushnoe said. She said UGRA has “no experience” with contamination at current levels and will consult with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality about specialized testing protocols.

Water quality testing has been suspended until officials can safely access the river. Bushnoe said she has no timeline for when conditions might normalize or assessment of long-term environmental impacts.

The contamination warning comes as Johnson Creek continues rising, potentially adding 1-2 feet of water to the already swollen Guadalupe River, officials said.

Search Operations Continue

More than 400 first responders from over 20 agencies are conducting systematic searches along a 30-mile corridor of the Guadalupe River, where floodwaters reached unprecedented levels early Friday morning.

Officials confirmed that 850 rescues conducted since the disaster include all campers except those still missing from Camp Mystic. Many rescued campers have been reunited with families, providing some relief amid the tragedy.

Highway 39 west of Ingram has been closed to the public after unauthorized vehicles blocked emergency access roads, hampering rescue operations.

Misinformation Challenges

False reports of children being rescued spread rapidly Sunday, highlighting information challenges during the disaster. The Kerr County Lead was among news outlets that initially reported two girls had been rescued from a tree near Center Point after receiving multiple eyewitness accounts and social media reports from volunteers.

Sheriff Leitha later confirmed the reports were “100% inaccurate,” prompting officials to warn against social media rumors and misinformation that can cause additional pain for grieving families.

“We wanted this story to be true, but it’s a classic tale of misinformation that consumes all of us during a natural disaster,” The Lead’s editors wrote in retracting the story.

Officials urged the public to rely on verified information from the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office and City of Kerrville Facebook pages.

Federal Response Escalates

President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration Sunday, authorizing FEMA assistance and federal funding to cover 75% of eligible recovery costs. The declaration followed Gov. Greg Abbott’s state disaster proclamation covering nine counties.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was on the ground Saturday with Abbott as federal resources joined the massive response effort. The U.S. Coast Guard and state first responders have conducted more than 850 rescues since flooding began.

Community Support Mobilizes

City officials are coordinating with state partners to establish a family assistance center where flood survivors can access essential supplies. HB is setting up a mobile kitchen in Ingram to feed displaced residents and emergency workers.

Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said local businesses are stepping up to meet community needs while donations pour in through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. The Kerrville Salvation Army at the Kroc Center is coordinating volunteers and in-kind donations at 830-465-4796.

Families seeking information about missing loved ones can call 830-258-1111.

Unprecedented Disaster

The flooding began early Friday when torrential rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 20 feet in less than two hours, reaching an estimated 147,000 cubic feet per second — nearly 60 times the previous record.

City Manager Dalton Rice said officials are committed to a full review of emergency notification systems and preparedness protocols once search operations conclude. The disaster struck during the early morning hours of July 4 when many residents were sleeping.

The death toll makes this one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history. Search operations continue around the clock as officials work to account for all missing persons in the devastating Hill Country flood zone.

Daily press conferences are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to provide updates on the ongoing operation.