texas flooding: In Texas this week, the estimated number of people missing from the Hill Country floods is 161, a grim figure even more terrifying than the at least 120 deaths confirmed by officials.
But the number of missing may not be as precise as it seems.
Confusion and uncertainty can prevail after a traumatic disaster, and despite the best efforts of local officials, it can be difficult to determine how many people are truly missing. Some people who were listed after the Camp Fire wildfire in California in 2018 were later found to be completely well. The death toll from the 2023 Maui fire was 102, far lower than the 1,100 people initially feared missing.
In Texas, authorities in Kerr County reported several hundred people missing after the Fourth of July floods, said Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Investigators had reduced that number to 161 by Tuesday after discovering that some had been counted twice and others had been found alive.
Texas authorities are searching for a man missing in the floods.
As relentless floodwaters continue to batter parts of Texas, state and local officials are racing against time—not only to rescue stranded residents but also to determine the exact number of people who remain missing. The crisis, triggered by historic rainfall and overflowing rivers, has displaced thousands and left entire communities submerged.
According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, more than 30 counties have declared disaster emergencies, with search-and-rescue teams deployed by boat, drone, and helicopter. But amid the chaos, officials face a daunting task: identifying who is truly missing.
“We’re getting hundreds of calls from people reporting loved ones they haven’t heard from,” said Director Nate Reynolds. “But many of these are communication gaps—phones are dead, power lines are down, and shelters are overwhelmed.”
Complicating matters is the lack of a centralized database for flood-related disappearances. Emergency responders must manually verify reports by cross-checking shelter intake lists, hospital admissions, and evacuation logs.
In Houston, where floodwaters rose more than 15 feet in some neighborhoods, city officials say at least 50 people are currently unaccounted for—but they caution that this number may fluctuate as more people are located or rescued.
Governor Maria Henson held a press conference urging citizens to use official hotlines rather than social media to report missing individuals. “We need verifiable, clear information. Time is critical,” she emphasized.
Nonprofit organizations are also stepping in. The Red Cross has launched a “Safe and Well” portal, allowing people to register their status and reconnect with families. Volunteers are canvassing shelters to gather names and photos, hoping to bridge communication breakdowns.
Meanwhile, the National Guard has increased its deployment, focusing on hard-hit rural regions where roads are still impassable. “We are bringing in additional equipment to aid rescue and identification efforts,” said Major Anthony Ruiz.
Meteorologists warn that more rainfall is expected over the next 48 hours, further complicating the rescue and tracking operations.
As the water slowly begins to recede in some areas, the true toll of the disaster remains uncertain. For now, Texas officials continue their painstaking work—searching not only for survivors, but for answers.