Overview
- Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips disappeared on July 5 when his emergency vehicle was swept off a low-water crossing in Cow Creek during a water rescue call.
- Authorities recovered his crushed vehicle Monday in Burnet County but have not located Phillips despite intensified search operations.
- Governor Greg Abbott reported that 41 people remain unaccounted for statewide after floodwaters killed at least 82 and left dozens missing since the July Fourth weekend.
- Multi-agency teams from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the National Guard and local sheriff’s offices are deploying air and water units across Central Texas Hill Country.
- Officials warn that forecast heavy rainfall could trigger further flooding and complicate ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.