'Today will be a hard day': 43 confirmed dead, search efforts intensify after deadly Hill Country floods

KERR COUNTY, Texas — Rescue and recovery efforts continued for a second day after devastating and deadly floods hit Kerr County and other parts of the Hill Country early on the July Fourth holiday. 

The death toll continues to rise amid those efforts. County officials said at least 43 bodies have been recovered so far, including 28 adults and 15 children. 

Authorities have not officially identified the victims, but we’re starting to learn more about them through loved ones. 

“We’re constantly going through shift management cycles to make sure our first responders and crews are taken care of,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice. “We’ve been rescuing people by the hundreds all day.”

Early Friday morning, between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet from an intense and slow-moving storm in the Hill Country. The rapid rise of a wall of water hit dozens of summer camps, campgrounds, RV parks and homes along the Guadalupe River.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard are among the entities that have responded to the crisis, amounting to hundreds of personnel and vehicles participating in search efforts. Officials said more than 850 people have been rescued from the flooding, with many grabbing on to trees and waiting hours for rescue. 

A local summer camp, Camp Mystic, had more than 750 campers in residence over the Fourth of July holiday. As of Saturday, 27 kids remain missing from the camp, according to local officials. 

Kerr County and Kerrville officials say they are working closely with state and federal officials for assistance in the search and rescue operations. 

“People need to know today will be a hard day,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said during a Saturday news conference. “Please pray for our community.”

The mayor says if you want to help the easiest way is to follow the City of Kerrville’s Facebook page.

“We will not stop until every single person is found,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said. “It’s going to take a while.”

Search and rescue operations are continuously ongoing.

The next news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday.

Amidst the catastrophic Fourth of July Flooding, the City of Kerrville Emergency Management has established a reunification intake line for parents of campers who are unaccounted for.

If you do not know where your camper is, call 830-258-1111 and say the name of your missing person and you will be directed to a shelter. For other missing persons, call 830-257-8181.

The Kerrville Daily Times confirmed that longtime owner and director of Camp Mystic Dick Eastland died while trying to save and protect campers from the rushing floodwaters.

Eastland was described as a father figure to campers while they were away from their parents for six weeks during the summer.

One of Eastland’s former campers said they learned so much from him and weren’t surprised at all when hearing that he risked his own life to save campers as floodwaters rushed through.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers. He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic,” said Paige Sumner, a former camper and friend of Dick Eastland.

As crews and first responders continue the recovery effort across the Hill Country after catastrophic floods rushed through the area, USAA has committed $500,000 in philanthropic grants to help with search and recovery efforts and will activate employee volunteers to serve local communities. 

“The destruction and loss we are seeing in Texas is heartbreaking, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially the families of those who have lost loved ones and those who are still waiting to hear news,” said Juan C. Andrade, President & CEO of USAA. “We have been part of this community for more than 100 years and we will show up with action, compassion and a willingness to help our neighbors and our members recover and rebuild. We are grateful to first responders for their ongoing and tireless efforts.”

Ahead of her concert Saturday night, Shakira posted on social media that a portion of show’s proceeds will donated to Catholic Charities of San Antonio as they provide disaster relief to impacted families.

“Dear San Antonio, our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. We are donating a portion of tonight’s show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted,” said Shakira via Instagram.