Texas Flood Death Toll Climbs to 109

 Austin, TX – July 9, 2025

The full scale of devastation from the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods became clearer Saturday as officials confirmed the death toll has risen to 109, with 161 people still unaccounted for. The announcement from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) highlights the growing humanitarian crisis unfolding across the four hardest-hit counties.

The missing persons count surged dramatically as first responders finally reached previously isolated areas, some of which had remained inaccessible for days due to destroyed infrastructure and widespread communication failures. The true status of many of the 161 listed individuals remains unknown.

State officials emphasized that not all of the missing are presumed dead. Many lived within the impacted areas but have not made contact since the flooding began. Ongoing power outages and collapsed cell towers have created a near-total communication blackout, further complicating the process of accounting for residents.

“This is one of the most challenging and heartbreaking situations we have ever faced,” said TDEM Chief Nim Kidd. “We are dealing with two separate, tragic realities—the recovery of the 109 victims confirmed lost, and a desperate race to find the 161 still missing. We hope many are safe but unable to communicate.”

Fatalities have been confirmed in Kerr, Blanco, Gillespie, and Bandera counties. Search teams continue combing debris-filled riverbeds and collapsed structures. While the death toll includes those lost at Camp Starlight Meadows, that incident has now become part of a broader regional tragedy.

The search effort has grown into a vast operation involving FEMA, the Texas National Guard, and rescue teams from multiple states. Helicopters are being used to survey remote homes and terrain, while ground crews move through areas where roads and landmarks have been entirely washed away.

One rescue worker returning from the outskirts of Utopia described the landscape as unrecognizable. “Where there were roads and houses, there is now just a canyon of mud and debris. It’s impossible to tell where to even begin looking.”

State officials have activated a central hotline and online reporting system for families to report missing loved ones. Evacuees who have not yet checked in are being urged to mark themselves safe to help narrow the search.

As communities reel from the destruction, the psychological impact is mounting. With many families still awaiting word on missing relatives, the region faces a growing collective trauma. The final toll remains unknown, and recovery—both physical and emotional—is only beginning.

Related questions and answers

Are the 161 missing people presumed dead?
Not necessarily. Many may be alive but unable to communicate due to power and infrastructure loss.

Where are the confirmed fatalities located?
Victims have been confirmed in Kerr, Blanco, Gillespie, and Bandera counties, including those from Camp Starlight Meadows.

What are authorities doing to help families?
A statewide hotline and website have been launched for reporting missing persons and checking in as safe.