What we know about the people still missing, recovery efforts after the deadly Central Texas floods
Kerr County officials said Wednesday that their priority is to continue to search for missing people and get families closure as recovery efforts continue across Hill Country following the deadly floods.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday said that 161 individuals remain unaccounted for in the Kerr County area, a number that could grow as more reports are filed in the aftermath of catastrophic flooding. That figure comes in addition to five campers and one counselor still missing from Camp Mystic, as well as another seven in Kerr County and 12 others reported missing across other parts of Texas.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said that a burn ban is in place as coordinated teams search through debris with tools and equipment. He also addressed reporters before questioning about the controversy surrounding warnings and disaster plans by saying, "This incident will be reviewed, you have my word."
"We've lost friends here," Mayor Joe Herring Jr. added, as he and Sheriff Leitha asked reporters to bear with them as they navigate this tragedy.
Kerrville Police Sergeant Jonathan Lamb told stories of the heroic first responders who stayed on scene for over 13 hours once the catastrophe began and helped save over 200 people in the Hunt area, including going door to door to warn people to get to safety.
Texas floods death toll reaches 118
In total, 118 fatalities have been confirmed so far statewide, and more than 170 people remain unaccounted for, according to Gov. Abbott and state officials.
Abbott noted Tuesday that more lives have been lost in Kerr and Kendall counties alone than during Hurricane Harvey, which claimed 103 lives in Texas when it struck in August 2017.
"We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for," Abbott said. "... We are not leaving until this job is finished."
Public urged to report missing
Abbott urged Texans and others to report anyone still missing but not yet accounted for by calling (830) 258-1111 or emailing kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov. He warned against prank callers, noting that action will be taken against anyone providing false information.
Aid arrives to Central Texas
The Kerr County update came as significant resources were being deployed to the area to assist with recovery.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has deployed 258 personnel, along with six replacement helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft.
"Your National Guard will not leave until every person is found," said Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer of the Texas National Guard, "and we will not leave until our communities have recovered."
Military, game wardens mobilized
Suelzer said assets deployed include ground search crews, high-profile military vehicles, Blackhawk helicopters with rescue hoists, heavy-lift helicopters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and shelter management crews.
Earlier Tuesday, officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said more than 300 game wardens have been deployed to the area. They have searched 26 river miles and been involved in 444 rescues and 30 recoveries.
The effort has included two helicopter teams, 10 K-9 units, 12 drone teams, nine swiftwater boat crews, 15 airboats, 16 UTVs, and 169 four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Support from other states
Abbott said numerous states are offering support, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
CBS News Texas will provide additional details as they become available.
