Overview

• At least 108 people have died and about 41 remain missing after torrential July 4 rains drove the Guadalupe River up eight meters in under an hour.
• Search and rescue efforts now involve over 500 personnel, 14 helicopters, the Texas National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard units and FEMA teams working in hazardous conditions.
• President Trump signed a federal disaster declaration and dispatched Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to coordinate the deployment of federal aid in the hardest-hit areas.
• Residents and officials have criticized the absence of modern flood alert infrastructure, noting that sirens and digital warnings failed to activate in time to warn campers and other residents.
• State and local leaders are debating investments in forecasting tools, siren networks and broader climate resilience measures to reduce the risk of future flash floods.