104 dead, many missing after Texas flooding

Volunteers who have joined the search for missing people in the Central Texas floods are witnessing firsthand the carnage that swept through whole communities.

Samantha Elfmont, World Central Kitchen’s response director, joined “Banfield” to explain what the organization is doing to help provide free meals to survivors and rescuers in the area.

Residents speak to NewsNation about the anxious wait to see if some of their loved ones, friends, and neighbors have survived, and the loss of those who have already died.

With a couple in their 60s still missing in central Texas, their family is frantically searching to find them. Ryan Brake, whose grandparents’ cabin was swept away in the floods, says there is currently “no sign of hope.”

Keli Rabon and her 9-year-old son Braeden, join NewsNation to share a moment of hope amid tragedy. She was reunited with her two sons after they survived the deadly flooding at Camp La Junta.

AccuWeather meteorologist Geoff Cornish joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” to discuss the weather outlook for the flood-damaged regions of central Texas, as well as what could be done to prevent such a death toll in the future, if anything.

Commanding Officer at the U.S. Coast Guard, Charlie Wilson, joins NewsNation as a desperate search is underway in Texas after one of the deadliest floods in a century. At least 104 people are confirmed dead and dozens more remain missing following catastrophic flash floods in Central Texas. Among the victims: 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp along the Guadalupe River. Ten other young campers are still unaccounted for.

NewsNation’s Brian Entin spoke with friends and neighbors of the Romero family, a young couple and their 1-year-old son, who are still missing after the devastating Texas flood. Loved ones describe them as a tight-knit, joyful couple who had just celebrated their baby’s first birthday. Rescue crews continue to search the area, but hopes are fading as the days pass.

The Ferruzzo family released a statement about their daughter, Katherine, a counselor at Camp Mystic.

“As of today, our daughter, Katherine Ferruzzo, a counselor in the Bubble Inn cabin at Camp Mystic, remains unaccounted for. We ask for your ongoing prayers as responders search for her and the many other victims of last week’s devastating floods in Central Texas. Katherine has a fierce and loving spirit, and we have no doubt she did all she could to save the lives of the girls in her cabin. Our family asks that you give us privacy while we await more news and grieve this tragedy.”

NewsNation affiliate KXAN is reporting that at least 104 people have been killed in catastrophic flash flooding across Texas, while several others remain missing.

In a Monday update, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media and confirmed 84 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County. Of those deaths recovered, include 56 adults and 28 children. Identification is currently pending for 22 adults and 10 children, Kerr County Sheriff’s said.

At this time, 10 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for, KCSO said.

After catastrophic flooding in central Texas, rescue efforts are continuing with more than 90 dead. Geraldo Rivera talks about the flooding in Texas and the toll the disaster will take on the communities in the area, including the need for siren systems, especially when disasters hit at night when people are sleeping.

NewsNation affiliate KXAN is reporting that flooding in central Texas has now killed 95 people. The number is likely to rise as rescue efforts continue.

The death toll in central Texas floods has risen to 90, with at least 28 being kids. Dylan McKim, reporter for NewsNation affiliate KXAN, shows the aftermath of floods at an RV park in Center Point, Texas, where massive trees are knocked down and RVs piled up. McKim says rescue and recovery efforts will take time because crews are having to search grid-by-grid and look through debris.

Sheriff Calvin Boyd in Burnet County said there have been four fatalities in the county and two people are missing.

The vehicles of the missing people have been located, but not the people themselves.

Boyd said there have been 62 rescues in Burnet County and first responders received 180 calls between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on the morning of the floods.

Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, said Monday it is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors after floods swept through central Texas over the weekend.

Serena Aldrich, whose daughters were rescued from the camp, joins “NewsNation Now” to discuss their experiences.

Authorities say 90 people have died as a result of flooding in central Texas. That number is likely to rise as rescue efforts continue.

The city of Kerrville, Texas, did not have outdoor weather alarms installed that might have given residents more warning of floods, NewsNation affiliate KXAN reported.

After a deadly flood in 1987, warning alarms were installed along the Guadalupe River, but they were located south of Kerrville.

Outdoor warning systems are not required by federal law or Texas state law.

In 2018, Kerr County applied for a $1 million grant to install a flood warning system but was denied.

Officials said the exact number of those missing is unknown. Calls are still being taken, and there have been fake calls, they said.

Scammers have also reached out to families claiming to have their children and demanding money.

In all disasters, the number of missing fluctuates in the early days because people may be reported missing multiple times, and some who are reported missing may be found quickly.

The number in Texas has been characterized as “a lot” with no additional details given.

Authorities discussed the difficulty of predicting flash floods, explaining that meteorologists can’t easily pinpoint the exact locations where the heaviest amount will fall.

Factors like previous storms that have waterlogged the ground or caused rivers to rise also play a role.

Officials also said there is danger in evacuating because if it is done too late, you risk putting people in vehicles on flooded roads.

The situation was so severe that first responders trained in swift-water rescue were being swept away while responding to the first reports of flooding.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded to a question about warning systems by rebuking what he called “partisan attacks.”

He said there would be time for reflection after recovery efforts conclude, regarding the possibility of earlier flood warnings from the National Weather Service.

“The NWS put out an emergency warning after 1 a.m. and another emergency warning after 4 a.m., but most people were asleep,” he said. “Anyone can agree in hindsight, if we could go back in time, we’d evacuate people in certain areas. Next time there is a flood, I hope we have a process where we can remove the most vulnerable from harm’s way.”

At least 82 people are dead, and the number is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

“Texas is grieving right now,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “The pain and shock of what has transpired has broken the heart of our state.”

There have been 850 high-water rescues reported so far, as well as stories of Eagle Scouts pulling people out of harm’s way.

Cruz said he spoke to President Donald Trump and was told the White House would provide whatever aid was needed.

There are continued power outages in the area, with 40 downed power lines and no estimate on when power will be returned.

Volunteers are discouraged from attempting to search on their own because they could become additional victims, authorities warned.

Those seeking to volunteer in person should contact the Kerrville Salvation Army.

Want to help Texas flood victims? Here’s how.

City Manager Dalton Rice said officials are still in the rapid search phase with rescuers facing technical challenges due to terrain and weather.

There are 19 different state and local agencies involved in operations.

Authorities said 75 people have died in Kerr County, including 48 adults and 27 children.

Of those, 15 adults and nine children have not yet been identified.

At Camp Mystic, 10 campers and one counselor are unaccounted for.