Texas flooding once again gripped the state with terrifying force on Sunday, as torrential rain slammed into already ravaged central counties, prompting new water rescues, evacuations, and emotional pleas from officials and residents. The situation has become dire as the Texas flooding death toll from earlier this month climbed to at least 132, including 106 in Kerr County alone.
Governor Greg Abbott announced that swift water rescue teams were deployed in San Saba, Lampasas, and Schleicher counties. Evacuation orders were expanded as rainfall persisted in flood-prone areas. “We are expanding operations in all affected counties − all while monitoring the rising waters in Kerrville,” Abbott posted on X.
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Texas Task Force 1 alone has rescued dozens from dangerous floodwaters in Lampasas County. “They and other first responders will continue operations to prioritize saving lives,” Abbott said in a separate update, underlining the urgency of the Texas flooding emergency.
Reliving the Trauma: Flashbacks to July 4’s Deadly Texas Flooding
In Ingram, just miles from Kerrville, floodwaters resembled the catastrophic July 4 Texas flooding that claimed over 100 lives. The Ingram Fire Department warned residents, “This is not entertainment. This is a life-threatening situation.”
Social media footage from Kerrville on Sunday showed water racing across streets like a river. The National Weather Service warned of an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain overnight, extending a flood watch across Hill Country, the I-35 corridor, and the Southern Edwards Plateau until Monday morning.
The confirmed victims of the July 4 Texas flooding included entire families swept away, cars overturned, and even a 3-ton truck entombed in sand near the Guadalupe River in Center Point.
Volunteers and Victims Unite Amid Texas Flooding Search Efforts
Search efforts for missing persons have continued, many spearheaded by volunteers like Jonathan McComb, who lost his wife and two young children in a Texas flooding disaster a decade ago in Wimberley. “We weren’t able to recover my daughter,” he said, “and I know what that feels like. I want to do what I can to help.”
McComb has been working with TEXSAR, a local search and rescue organization, combing through flood debris daily since July 4.
Another heroic volunteer, Tillman, stumbled upon a 200-yard field of mangled RVs, trailers, and vehicles during a search on July 10. Heavy equipment had to be brought in to dig through the wreckage, likely entombing many who are still missing.
DNA Technology Offers Hope Amid the Devastation
As part of the response to the Texas flooding, rapid DNA testing is now being used to identify recovered bodies. According to Col. Freeman Martin of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers are collecting DNA from victims and families, and sending samples to the University of North Texas in Dallas.
“Since Katrina, that technology has exploded,” said disaster veteran Boyer. “Rapid DNA testing can now return results in days, not weeks, and only needs minimal biological material.”
As of July 9, 15 adults and 13 children remained unidentified in Kerr County alone. The Texas flooding disaster has overwhelmed local capabilities, with some areas completely inaccessible due to debris mounds and unstable ground.
The Grim Reality: Not All Victims May Be Found
Despite the exhaustive efforts, experts like Boyer caution that many victims may never be recovered. “There are 50-foot walls of dead trees, boulders, and silt that people could be under,” he said. “Those areas may not be exposed again until the next big flood—maybe 50 years from now.”
The emotional toll of the Texas flooding is felt not only by residents but also by those watching from afar, like Mitch Hampton, a river guide in North Carolina. Hampton had previously led rescue teams during the French Broad River floods in 2024, where several victims were never recovered.
“It reminded me of the feeling of wanting to do something and feeling helpless at the same time,” he said, commenting on viral images from the ongoing Texas flooding search operations.
Tragedy and Trauma: A Personal Story of Loss and Survival
Some of the most heartbreaking scenes from the Texas flooding involve family members who remain hopeful yet tormented by uncertainty. In North Carolina, a similar disaster last year left survivors like Gindinova mourning her aunt and uncle, who were eventually found, while her cousin and grandmother remain missing.
“It took 10 days to find out they were gone,” she said. “I don’t think there will ever be closure.”
She now watches the Texas news closely, knowing the pain so many are enduring. Her family’s ashes were spread across the Blue Ridge Mountains, a ritual she hopes will one day be completed if the missing are ever recovered.
Texas Flooding: A Humanitarian Crisis in Motion
The Texas flooding disaster is not just about numbers. It’s a crisis defined by pain, heroism, resilience, and the grueling work of rescuers. First responders, volunteers, and even those personally affected by previous disasters have come together in a show of unity and human strength.
But as water levels rise again and rainfall forecasts remain grim, the people of Texas are bracing for what could be another wave of destruction. Officials urge everyone in flood-prone areas to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel.
“This is not over,” Gov. Abbott emphasized. “We are still in the thick of it.”
Stay informed with real-time updates on Texas flooding, rescue operations, and recovery efforts at Hours of News – Texas Flooding Coverage.
For official statements, emergency policies, and government response, visit our Local news.
