Texas Flood Death Toll Rises to 121, 160 Still Missing

The death toll from devastating flash floods in Texas has risen to 121, with 160 people still missing, according to reports from AFP and CNN on Friday, July 11, 2025. Emergency rescue operations are ongoing to locate those unaccounted for along the Guadalupe River.

A week after the catastrophic floods struck on July 4, questions have emerged about the adequacy and effectiveness of the warning systems in place for Texas residents. In Kerr County, where at least 96 deaths have been reported, a petition demanding the installation of flood warning sirens has garnered nearly 40,000 signatures.

According to ABC News, a firefighter from Kerrville’s Ingram area made an emergency call to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office at 4:22 AM on July 4, urging authorities to warn residents in the nearby Hunt area about the flash floods. An audio recording obtained by ABC News affiliate KSAT revealed that the first alert through Kerr County’s CodeRED system was delayed by 90 minutes. In some areas, warnings did not reach residents until after 10:00 AM, by which time many had already been swept away by floodwaters

Journalists questioned local officials about whether recent funding cuts by the Trump administration weakened the region’s alert systems and why so many residents did not receive timely warnings. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha avoided direct answers, stating, “We will identify the necessary steps post-incident. We need to find answers to these questions.”

Houston representative and Texas Republican Senator Paul Bettencourt announced plans to introduce legislation to install sirens in local counties. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority is set to meet in mid-July to discuss establishing a centralized flood monitoring system. Local media reports indicate that multiple initiatives to implement effective flood warning systems in Kerr County have previously failed due to lack of funding and local complaints. In 2017, the river authority requested $980,000 for such a system but was denied, according to official records.

Kerrville Community Services Officer Sergeant Jonathan Lamb thanked volunteers for their support during rescue efforts but noted that no additional volunteers are currently needed. “I believe the federal and state governments have provided everything necessary to meet our initial needs. The local community’s support has been unprecedented,” he said during a brief press conference. Lamb avoided questions about why police radio communication failed during the floods, stating, “I don’t have any information on that at this time.” The sudden flooding swept away children and others at a summer camp along the Guadalupe River, with 10 campers and one counselor still missing. President Donald Trump expressed condolences and will visit the flood-affected areas with First Lady Melania Trump on Friday. Last week, Trump told reporters that the federal administration is in communication with Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This is a horrific event, truly terrible. We pray for those who have suffered so much. We ask for God’s blessings for Texas,” he added. The flash floods, triggered by heavy rainfall, caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet (7.9 meters) in less than an hour, sweeping away everything in its path.