Texas Flood Death Toll Stagnates; Hundreds Still Missing

Hope dwindles as the number of confirmed fatalities from the central Texas floods remains unchanged. The focus shifts to the agonizing wait for news of the 161 individuals still unaccounted for in the disaster zone.

Grim Stagnation in Victim Count

Local officials in Kerr county, the area hardest hit by the July 4th flash flood, reported that the death toll remains at 96, unchanged since Wednesday evening. Of those confirmed dead, 60 are adults and 36 are children, according to Sgt. Jonathan Lamb of the Kerrville police department.

Among the missing are five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp that suffered extensive damage when the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks.

Federal Response Under Scrutiny

The update follows recent discussions by Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), about overhauling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Previously, Trump expressed intentions to scale back FEMA, shifting responsibilities to the state level.

“We’re cutting through the paperwork of the old Fema, streamlining it, much like your vision of how Fema should operate,” Noem stated, also remarking that Americans’ willingness to support one another after tragedies demonstrates that “God created us to take care of each other.”

Experts caution that diminishing FEMA’s role could create significant gaps in essential services during emergency responses, such as the ongoing Texas floods. For instance, during Hurricane Ian in 2022, FEMA provided over $5.5 billion in federal assistance to Florida (FEMA.gov).

Trump Declares “Major Disaster”

Trump declared the Texas flooding a “major disaster” on Sunday, authorizing the deployment of federal resources to aid in rescue and recovery operations. FEMA officials and resources have been dispatched to the state, alongside personnel from the US Coast Guard and a border patrol tactical unit.

FEMA has established its taskforce command in Center Point, Texas, to coordinate ongoing search operations. Meanwhile, over 2,100 personnel are assisting with family reunification efforts, according to Lamb. A team of Mexican firefighters is also contributing to the rescue and recovery efforts.

Community Surveys Damage as Questions Arise

As recovery efforts continue, community members are returning to their properties to assess the damage. Trump and his wife are scheduled to visit the affected area on Friday.

Simultaneously, questions are being raised regarding the adequacy of local jurisdictions’ preparedness for the flooding. Reports are surfacing about potential shortcomings in the warning systems meant to alert residents about the rapidly rising river waters.

An Associated Press report indicated that state and local agencies missed opportunities to fund a flood warning system. Furthermore, Texas Public Radio reported delays in emergency alerts reaching residents, with some receiving notifications nearly six hours after they were requested.