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yesterday

Unauthorized Drone Collision Disrupts Central Texas Flood Rescue Operations

The emergency landing highlights the risk unauthorized drones pose to critical flood search and rescue operations.

A Blackhawk Helicopter can be seen flying over the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic looking for survivors or the remains of victims swept up in the flash flooding on July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
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Shown is an unarmed MQ-9 Reaper, a remotely piloted aircraft. Air National Guardsmen from the 147th Attack Wing are using the drones to help search efforts in the wake of the Guadalupe River flash flooding.

Overview

  • A private drone illegally operating in restricted airspace collided with a rescue helicopter in Kerr County, forcing an emergency landing and sidelining vital equipment.
  • Texas Military Department’s MQ-9 Reaper drones continue high-altitude search missions under a lowered FAA temporary flight restriction to map flood zones.
  • Officials report 91 confirmed deaths, including 28 children, with 41 people still unaccounted for after the Guadalupe River surged by 26 feet.
  • State-led operations have completed over 525 rescues or evacuations, while professional drones, helicopters and boats have saved more than 850 people overall.
  • President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration has mobilized FEMA resources and federal support to strengthen local search, rescue and recovery efforts.