Mon Jul 14 20:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Kerr County Grapples with Devastating Flood Aftermath, Recovery Efforts Hampered by New Storms
**Kerrville, TX** – Kerr County is reeling from catastrophic flooding that struck over the Fourth of July weekend, leaving at least 132 dead and an estimated 150 still missing. The disaster has prompted local and federal scrutiny over the response efforts. Kerr County commissioners held their first official meeting since the tragedy on Monday. Search and recovery efforts, already underway for over a week, were temporarily suspended Sunday due to new thunderstorms and rising river levels, further complicating the situation.
The Guadalupe River, usually a beloved local waterway, turned into a deadly torrent after receiving more than a summer’s worth of rain in a single night. The sudden surge overwhelmed the region, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. One particularly tragic incident occurred at Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp, where 27 campers and counselors perished, including longtime co-director Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died while attempting to rescue campers.
The National Weather Service issued a “life-threatening flash flooding” warning for Kerr County at 1:14 a.m. on July 4, but many residents, including Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, reported not receiving the alert. Eastland began evacuating campers around 2 a.m., before the NWS issued a more dire warning.
The Commissioners’ meeting addressed recovery efforts, including prioritizing the search for the missing and overtime for emergency personnel. Citizens used the public comment portion of the meeting to express gratitude for the community’s resilience, while others raised concerns about financial assistance for local businesses and potential looting.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha acknowledged the delays caused by the recent weather but vowed to continue search efforts for months, potentially winding down in six months.
Meanwhile, the recovery effort faces challenges at the federal level, with reports suggesting bureaucratic hurdles slowed down the initial deployment of Urban Search and Rescue teams from FEMA.
Adding to the woes, central Texas is experiencing continued thunderstorms and the potential for further flooding. The Frio River in Uvalde County is already at major flood stage.
The city council members in Kerrville have requested additional security, citing “targeted threats.”
President Trump visited Kerrville on Friday, offering support and condolences. The federal government has approved a major disaster declaration for affected counties, making grant funding available to residents.
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