KERR COUNTY, Texas – Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at least 43 people are dead in a catastrophic flooding event in the Hill Country area of Texas on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking at a news conference Saturday morning, Leitha said 28 adults and 15 children have been recovered.
12 people remain unidentified, he said.
More than 24 hours into the recovery efforts, Leitha said 850 people have been rescued uninjured and another eight were rescued with injuries.
27 people are known to be missing, but officials say they will not put a number on how many people are not accounted for.
Officials warned against conducting independent searches as roads started to clear on Saturday.
“We know everybody wants to get help as the roads start clearing up, you’re going to you’re going to want to get out there,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said. “We are in constant communication with, you know, with families. We’re in constant communication with with those around. And so we will continue to effortlessly have partners.”
Kerrville police said they worked overnight and are continuing rescue efforts Saturday after catastrophic floods came through the area on Friday.
Officials said Saturday morning on Facebook that rescue efforts would continue until everyone is accounted for.
“My instruction to every state agency involved in this is to assume everybody who is missing is alive, and there’s a need for speed,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Not just every hour. Every minute counts. Which is why those people in the air, people in the water, people on the ground right now, because they’re looking to save every last life. And we will not give up that effort to what was the other side as well.”
That point was emphasized by Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.
“Life safety continues to be our number one priority,” Kidd said. “We will continue the search until all those that are missing are found. We will start cleanup and property damage assessments as soon as possible.”
Still, local officials painted a less hopeful picture.
“The rescue has gone as well as can be expected,” Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said. “It’s getting time now for the recovery. And that’s going to be a long, toilsome task for us.”
Kelly said he lives on the Guadalupe River and his properties were destroyed.
“I barely got home yesterday,” Kelly said. “I started my morning, ushering in a crew with a skid steer and two dump trailers, three trucks, nine men to start trying to rebuild. What went down the river.”
The county offered two ways to report a missing person on Saturday. One is by calling 830-258-1111. The other is via email at [email protected]. Information given by both methods will be forwarded to relief and incident managers.
What they’re saying:
“Rescue teams worked throughout the night and will continue until we find all our citizens,” officials said Saturday morning. “Hundreds of first responders are here with resources from throughout the state to help us. Our thoughts remain with those who are unaccounted for and their loved ones. They are our focus and will remain so.”
MORE: Texas flooding: How you can help people in Kerrville
Gov. Abbott signed a state disaster declaration for several counties in the Hill Country. He also said officials from the federal government have called him to offer assistance.
The Texas National Guard said more than 200 people were rescued or evacuated, including over 150 by helicopter.
The head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management said crews were in place ahead of the flood, but the rainfall in that area was higher than forecasted.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Saturday that 1,800 people were still without power in the area.
Noem said Coast Guard was working to bring more equipment in with thermal technology so searches can continue overnight.
“Some of the assets that other agencies may offer don’t have that kind of equipment,” Noem said. “But the Coast Guard does have it. And so that will be deployed so that the search and rescue efforts don’t stop, even when it does get dark at night.”
Kerr County flooding
Kerr County Sheriff’s Office says it will not release any specific information about fatalities until next of kin are notified.
County officials said several people are missing, including at least 20 campers from a girls-only camp, according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
READ MORE: Texas flooding: Texas leaders react
It says it is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues.
Where are the emergency shelters?
Kerrville Emergency Management has established a reunification line for parents of campers who are unaccounted for. Parents should call 830-258-1111 and give the name of the missing child and then be directed to a shelter.
For other missing persons, family members can call 830-258-8181.
Kerr County
- First United Methodist Church – KerrvilleFunction: Overnight shelter and distribution site Location: 321 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TX Status: Open — serving evacuees from the upper Guadalupe River valley
Llano County
- First Baptist Church – KingslandFunction: Shelter and medical triage pointLocation: 3435 RR 1431, Kingsland, TXStatus: Open — supporting evacuees from Kingsland and Llano River region
- Lakeshore Library Parking Lot (Kingsland)Function: Temporary staging for Coast Guard & TX Search and RescueLocation: 7346 RR 261, Kingsland, TXStatus: Restricted — EMS/military use only
San Angelo / Tom Green County
- PaulAnn Church – San AngeloFunction: Full-service shelter, food/water station, and reunification point Location: 2531 Smith Blvd, San Angelo, TX Status: Open — housing families displaced by Concho River flooding
- Tom Green County 4-H / AgriLife Center Function: Large-animal staging and multi-agency logistics hub Location: 113 W. Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TX Status: Open — not accepting public evacuees
Guadalupe / Comal Counties
- Community Bible Church – Schertz Function: Overflow shelter for I-35 corridor flood victims Location: 1735 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX (serving Schertz area)Status: Open — limited capacity as of last report
Gillespie / Blanco Counties (Support only)
- Fredericksburg High School (PREP)Function: Standby support shelter Location: 1107 Hwy 16 S, Fredericksburg, TX Status: On standby — activated if Llano overflow spreads southeast
Special Populations Support
- CelesteCare Llano and Autumn Winds Schertz report staff are sheltering in place with backup power. EMS contacts are established.
Disaster responders serving meals
The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief is setting up a feeding unit to provide meals for first responders and the public.
Meals will be provided behind the church located at 625 Washington Street in Kerrville.
Meals will be served at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.
What’s next:
Kerr County officials are expected to hold an update at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the city of Kerrville and Kerrville Police and press conferences from officials.
