Overview

• Texas officials report 129 dead and 173 still unaccounted for after the Guadalupe River’s sudden July 4 overflow
• Urban search-and-rescue teams from over a dozen states, supported by federal helicopters, drones and canine units, remain active across Kerr County and newly added counties
• Governor Greg Abbott added Burnet, San Saba, Williamson, Travis and Tom Green counties to the presidential disaster declaration, enabling FEMA individual and public assistance programs for housing, repairs and infrastructure
• Emergency warnings were delayed by up to 90 minutes on July 4, prompting state and federal inquiries into National Weather Service and FEMA budget cuts and local alert systems
• Local jurisdictions still lack permanent flood-warning infrastructure despite prior risk assessments, underscoring preparedness gaps that compounded the human toll