KERR COUNTY (KRLD) - The search for flood victims in Kerr County has entered a grueling new phase as recovery crews deploy a massive grid system spanning more than 60 miles along the Guadalupe River. Officials say the goal is to systematically scour every segment of the flood zone in hopes of locating those still missing after last week’s catastrophic flooding.
At least 109 people have been confirmed dead statewide, many of them children, and more than 160 remain unaccounted for, with Kerr County reporting the largest number of missing. Using boats, airboats, drones, cadaver dogs, and heavy machinery, search teams are dividing the landscape into one-mile sectors—each taking one to three hours to fully clear.
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"This is not a rescue effort anymore—this is recovery," said one local official. "We are committed to finding every person and giving families the closure they deserve."
Crews are digging through debris piles, thick mud, and downed trees left behind when rivers rose more than 20 feet in a matter of hours over the July 4 weekend. Private volunteers have been asked to stay clear of the operation zones to avoid interfering with the highly coordinated effort.
Authorities have also issued warnings to drone hobbyists, after an unauthorized drone caused a crash that grounded a search helicopter. The FAA and state officials are now urging the public to avoid flying any drones near the search grid.
Despite the scope and complexity of the operation, officials say they will continue the search for as long as it takes to find every victim.