Houston-area residents are amongst these reported lifeless and lacking in Central Texas, the place flooding on Friday killed not less than 68 individuals, in keeping with native and state officers.
One of many native victims is Jeff Wilson, a longtime Humble ISD instructor who died within the floods, in keeping with a Saturday night time social media submit by the varsity district. Wilson spent a mixed 30 years as a instructor at Humble Excessive Faculty and Kingwood Park Excessive Faculty, in keeping with Humble ISD, which mentioned Wilson’s spouse and son have been nonetheless thought of lacking.
“He was a beloved instructor and co-worker to many and might be deeply missed,” the district mentioned.
The dying toll as of Sunday included 40 adults and 28 youngsters, and an untold quantity extra have been lacking, officers in Kerr County mentioned.
One counselor and 10 youngsters from Camp Mystic — a Christian all-girls summer season camp within the Texas Hill Nation — remained unaccounted for Sunday within the Guadalupe River floods that inundated the realm on Independence Day.
The lacking women from the summer season camp included 10-year-old Greta Toranzo, a Houston ISD pupil. Neighborhood members held a candlelight vigil for Toranzo on Saturday night time.
One other lady lacking from Camp Mystic is Molly DeWitt, a pupil at Wilchester Elementary in Houston, the varsity introduced Saturday in a Fb submit.
Reese Manchaca, a current graduate of Caney Creek Excessive Faculty in Montgomery County, is also amongst these lacking within the Kerrville space, in keeping with a Saturday social media submit by Montgomery County Decide Mark Keough.
“I’m heartbroken by the devastating flooding in Kerr County, which has claimed greater than 20 lives in keeping with the newest report, together with younger victims from Houston and left others nonetheless lacking,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire mentioned in a press release Saturday afternoon. “The Metropolis of Houston is doing all we will to help the households and response efforts.”
RELATED: How Houston residents can donate, volunteer to assist Texas Hill Nation flood victims
In a information launch and social media submit early Friday night time, Harris County Decide Lina Hidalgo mentioned it had been confirmed that not less than 5 of those that died within the floods have been from the Houston space. A subsequent assertion shortly earlier than 11 p.m. Friday, described as a “correction,” omitted details about native fatalities. A spokesperson for Hidalgo mentioned early Saturday, “we nonetheless do not need affirmation on how most of the deceased have been Harris County residents.”
“The violent surge of flood waters is one thing we’re all too acquainted with,” Hidalgo mentioned in her preliminary assertion Friday. “I pray that emergency personnel are in a position to promptly discover the younger women lacking from Camp Mystic. Our Workplace of Emergency Administration stands able to help in any means wanted.”
On Sunday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha mentioned the dying toll from the Guadalupe River flooding had risen to not less than 68. Rescue and restoration efforts continued.
The names of those that died within the flooding weren’t instantly launched by state officers. About 850 individuals had been rescued within the flood waters.
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones mentioned in a Saturday afternoon assertion that “at least one little one” from her Houston-area precinct “has nonetheless not been situated.”
A number of different individuals from the Houston space have been amongst these lacking in Kerr County, in keeping with a number of information experiences.
The state of Texas on Friday deployed lots of of search and rescue personnel and greater than a dozen helicopters into the area.
The Houston Fireplace Division on Friday assisted first responders within the space with rescue efforts. Three HFD firefighters have been deployed as a part of the Texas A&M Process Pressure One. The hearth division is anticipated to offer updates as they turn into out there.
“The lack of life and harm to the communities in Central Texas is tragic,” Houston Fireplace Chief Thomas Muñoz mentioned. “As we so typically see assist from across the state come to Houston after we face floods, we’re proud to have the ability to help others of their time of want.”
Editor’s notice: This story was up to date Sunday, July 6, 2025, with new details about victims of the Central Texas floods. It was beforehand up to date Saturday, July 5, 2025, to mirror a press release from Houston Mayor John Whitmire and an amended assertion from Harris County Decide Lina Hidalgo.
