Ongoing Search for Victims in Texas Hill Country After Catastrophic Flooding
In an area nearly four times the size of Manhattan, the search for the dead and missing continues in the Texas Hill Country. Following catastrophic flooding on July 4, at least 173 people remain unaccounted for, while 119 others have been confirmed deceased. The tragedy has left families devastated and communities in mourning.
Among those still missing is the entire family of Leonardo Romero, his wife Natalia Venzor, and their one-year-old son Carlos. Their riverfront mobile home was completely destroyed, leaving only a cement slab behind. Erica, Natalia’s mother, remains hopeful that her daughter might still be found alive. She shared that Natalia’s 19-year-old stepson, Leo Jr., was found in debris in the Guadalupe River, not far from their home. However, there has been no sign of Natalia, her husband, or their baby brother five days later.
“It’s been torture, just pure torture,” Erica said, describing the emotional toll of waiting for news about her daughter’s fate. Leo Jr. was hospitalized after spending nearly four hours waiting to be rescued. Erica even provided DNA samples in case they find them deceased, though she still holds onto hope that they are alive.
The missing family’s neighbor, Greg Atkins, revealed that search and rescue crews have not yet visited the property where the family lived. “Leo was a sweet, dear, precious man,” he said. He also mentioned that the Hispanic community came together to help in the search, using a Bobcat to tear into the remains of the house wrapped around a tree, hoping to find Leo.
Natalia believes that not everyone who is missing has received the same level of attention as the children from Camp Mystic. “No, not really. It’s like they’re mainly focusing on Camp Mystic,” she added.
On Thursday morning, rescue teams moved into untouched areas of Kerrville, searching the south bank of the Guadalupe River. They worked across from various campgrounds and RV parks where many of the missing were last seen. Using heavy equipment, first responders moved massive trees and debris piles, looking for human remains. Areas that had been cleared were marked in green, indicating that attention could be given elsewhere. Each team was equipped with body bags.
The search reached this section of the river late Tuesday, and three bodies were discovered shortly after. Cadaver dogs were working with renewed urgency to locate those who have not been seen since Friday. Volunteer Joy Molina, who lives just 40 feet from the river, believes the number of missing will exceed what the state has publicly reported. “This whole area was filled with campers and people,” she said, pointing across the water to the north side of the Guadalupe. “Hardly any of them made it out.”
No one has been found alive since Friday, officials confirmed on Tuesday. Despite this, volunteers from Austin, San Antonio, and Houston continue to give their time to support the search efforts. “We’re here to give closure,” said one veteran from Austin. Another man took days off from his real estate business in San Antonio. “I just want to do what I can,” he said as he put on water boots.
Like worker bees, volunteers arrived by the dozen, following the direction of trained first responders. Activity paused when a SWAT vehicle with flashing blue and red lights arrived. Uniformed members of the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office inspected an area where a glove in the water became a focal point. “They found a glove that looked like it had been worn recently,” a homeowner told Daily Mail. “It had a nail imprint on it. Quite frankly, it looked like a hand sticking out of the water.”
A gully was going to be drained so whatever was attached to the glove could be inspected. However, not everyone is actively searching for bodies. Some volunteers are simply there to support each other. Trained professionals lead the way, while a wave of volunteers with special skills follows. Some use personal chainsaws to clear fallen branches, while others operate equipment like forklifts. Volunteers are feeding the rescue teams and ensuring they have what they need to find the missing.
“If all I can do is bring them water, then I’ve done what I can,” Molina explained. She organized hydration stations with water, cold drinks, and snacks. She also hauled away trash and set up canopies for shade and chairs for rest. “Another showed up yesterday, ‘I’m here to flip burgers,’” she said. “Everyone does what they can. I’ve been trying to keep busy. Keep my mind off things.”
