AUSTIN (KXAN) — Search and rescue efforts continued Monday, as emergency responders and state officials begin the recovery process. On July 4, storms caused catastrophic and deadly flash flooding in Central Texas.
As of Monday morning, authorities confirm that at least 82 people died due to flooding.
Here are the top headlines:
9:15 a.m.: Kerrville and Kerr County officials will hold a press conference to update the public at 10 a.m. That will be live streamed in this article and on KXAN+.
9:00 a.m.: The Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) called for the resignation of Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker in a social media post.
The labor union claimed that Baker denied the deployment of Austin firefighters to Kerrville until Monday. Its post said that three AFD rescue swimmers were deployed to Kerr Co. in the afternoon of July 4.
KXAN reached out AFD for a response to the post.
8:48 a.m.: Volunteers staged at Round Mountain Baptist Church in Leander told KXAN that they need all-terrain vehicles, and tools such as woodchippers and chainsaws, to aid with local cleanup efforts.
8:36 a.m.: The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flash Flood Warning for northwestern Burnet County until 11:30 a.m. Warnings have also been issued for Lampasas County until 8:15 a.m. and Llano County until 10:45 a.m.
8:00 a.m.: Kerr Co. first responders, along with Texas DPS troopers, US Army soldiers, and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, continued their search operations in the county Monday morning.
According to Texas DPS, rescue and recovery efforts remained “in full force.”
7:59 a.m.: KXAN viewer Anne Morley sent photos of loose docks drifting on Sandy Creek, to us via our ReportIt! system.
7:12 a.m.: Camp Mystic posted an update on its website Monday morning. It said that its community grieves the deaths of 27 campers and counselors.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” the website read. “We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
The camp said that it has been in communication with authorities, who the camp said were “tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”
According to reporting from NBC, 10 campers remain missing as of Monday morning.
7:00 a.m.: Search operations resumed in Travis County.
6:50 a.m.: KXAN was also at a staging point for Travis County’s search and recovery operations near Leander. That location is the Round Mountain Baptist Church in Leander, and is also an aid distribution station.
Search crews with thermal imaging devices walked the approximately 18-mile length of Sandy Creek on Sunday, according to Travis County Judge Andy Brown.
6:40 a.m.: The city of Kerrville asked the public to not burn brush piles near the river. Officials said it was “imperative” for responders to search all debris along the river prior to clean up efforts.
6:09 a.m.: KXAN Reporter Mercedez Hernandez encountered barricades on RM 1869, near Liberty Hill, that had been improperly moved. A Williamson County Sheriff’s deputy arrived shortly after to reset those barricades.
Following flash floods, barricades help authorities prevents residents from accidentally driving into flooded areas or on damaged roadways. Moving them could put lives at risk and impedes emergency personnel.
5:30 a.m.: Travis County Judge Andy Brown called in to KXAN to discuss the latest in his county:
