KERR COUNTY, Texas – As rescue teams continue their search for flood victims, a flash flood watch has been issued in the Texas Hill Country, making an already difficult task that much harder.

More rain slows search in Central Texas

HUNT, TEXAS – JULY 6: Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas

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Rainfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour throughout the day. The ground is already saturated.

This has forced many search groups to temporarily halt the search for some 97 people – a drop from the 161 reported last week. As of Tuesday morning, the death toll has reached 133. Kerr County was hit the hardest, with more than 100 bodies recovered there so far. 

FOX 4 meteorologist Ali Turiano walked us through the unusually wet forecast in Central Texas. She says this very active weather pattern is not something we typically see this time of year.

What they’re saying:

“We’re wedged in between two ridges of high pressure, and we’ve had this continuous moisture flow coming in from the southwest.”

With those conditions came several additional inches of rain to parts of the Texas Hill Country that had already been devastated by deadly flash flooding on Independence Day.

“The ground will soak up maybe an inch or two of rain, and the rest is just runoff. So at this point, anything they’re dealing with – any showers or storms moving through – it’s going to be runoff,” Ali said.

Ali says July is typically a dry month.

“The longer it takes for us to get to your typical summer pattern, the more likely we will continue to have rain chances.”

But despite the weather set back, Gov. Greg Abbott says volunteers and fire responders are determined to see their mission through.

Abbott specifically praised the Kerr County Sheriff, who he says has shown incredible strength and leadership during this difficult time.

Ali says that in the 11 years she’s worked here in Texas, she has never seen a summer weather pattern like this.

What’s next:

The encouraging news is, weather conditions in the Texas Hill Country will continue to improve after today, which should help the search efforts.

But with the rain moving out, Ali says higher temperatures and humidity will move in.

How to help Texas flooding victims

What you can do:

Many businesses and organizations are providing resources for those impacted by the flooding. FOX has collected a list of ways those affected can receive help, and what others can do to assist them. Take a look at the resource list here.

Read more:

KERR COUNTY, Texas – Heavy rain put search efforts on pause as crews continue to look for dozens of people who went missing after floods on Fourth of July weekend.

Some officials say they believe the search will last for months.

Kerr County searches

KERRVILLE, TEXAS – JULY 14: Search and rescue operations are performed in the Guadalupe River on July 14, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. More than 160 people are still missing after storm cells halted over the area, dumping nearly 15 inches of rain and ca

By the numbers:

In Kerr County, the hardest hit area, state officials are still looking for 97 people.

The Kerr County sheriff said on Monday he believes it could take as long as six months to find some of the missing.

What they’re saying:

Sometimes recovering a body is just the beginning.

Gov. Greg Abbott says once a body is recovered it can take several days to identify.

“Sometimes it does require using DNA testing to identify who they are and identify who their family is,” he said on Monday.

Rainy weekend slows search efforts

Texas flooding death toll rises with recovery efforts

Gov. Greg Abbott gave an update today on the recovery efforts in Central Texas, saying there are now 131 people confirmed dead across the state. He shared those details after touring more areas impacted by flooding this weekend.

Search efforts were put on pause starting on Sunday because of rain and water coming down the Guadalupe River.

What they’re saying:

Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said the rainfall could make the situation dangerous for search crews.

“We cannot afford to have people in that water and right next to the water that are not swift rescue trained and capable of at least saving themselves from being near that water because of the amount of rainfall that we’re getting,” he said.

Help for those affected

The Texas Division of Emergency Management says 13,000 volunteers are assisting with flood-related recovery.

TDEM is establishing volunteer reception centers to match capabilities and skills with what the communities need.

What they’re saying:

Daniel Olivas is one of several Kerrville residents who had their homes significantly damaged in the floods.

On Sunday, he says dozens of volunteer “angels” came to his home to help.

“We had up to 30 people on Sunday,” Oliveras said. 

Others say volunteer help is needed now, more than ever.

“It’s really emotional. It’s been a blessing. God has watched over us for this whole ordeal and I cannot express how much I appreciate everything that they have done for us,” said Colleen Lucas.

Kerrville extends disaster declaration

Local perspective:

On Monday, Kerrville City Council voted to indefinitely extend the mayor’s disaster declaration.

City officials have faced questions about what some believe was a lack of preparedness.

At Monday’s meeting, Councilwoman Brenda Hughes called for extra security, claiming “targeted threats” were being made to city staff.

What they’re saying:

The city is asking people to stop donating physical items.

“No more donations. We are at capacity, we appreciate all of the donations but we literally just don’t have the time, space and people to manage it,” said Councilwoman Delayne Sigerman.

Since the tragic floods in Central Texas, hundreds of volunteers have made their way to Kerr County to help with the flood aftermath. But for many, the Hill Country flood aftermath is hard to process.

“It’s the kids’ shoes. Every time I see one, it pulls at your heartstrings,” said Jared Ronning, who came to Kerrville from Orange, Texas. “Yesterday, I found a baby purple Croc and, like, a baby life jacket next to it, and you don’t know until you look.”

Ronning is one of hundreds of volunteers who have inundated Kerr County to help with flood clean-up. Ronning found out the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential, also known as Camp CAMP, needed help rebuilding. The camp serves children with disabilities.

“It’s easy to sit and look at your phone and think, ‘man that’s sad.’ It’s a lot harder to put it down and come out here,” Ronning said. “I feel like if I was able to help, I might as well anyway I could. I know there are a lot of families going through a lot worse than I am.”

Approximately 6-8 acres of land at Camp CAMP were damaged. On Saturday, the Texas Division of Emergency Management began requiring volunteers to register to better coordinate efforts.  

“Compared to the losses at some other camps, and what communities have faced, we’re blessed because our campers weren’t here when the flooding event happened,” said Brandon Briery, the chief operating officer. “The flooding, the debris, has just completely changed the landscape of this.”

Briery said many families who attend the camp were worried it would close for the remainder of the summer because of the damage at the grounds and in the county.

“We have been inundated with calls from camper families saying, ‘When are you going to reopen? We want to make sure we get to come,’” Briery said.

He added that the camp has received criticism for trying to reopen too soon.

“For our campers and families who don’t have opportunities to go to camp anywhere else, because of the severity of their disabilities or their illnesses, for the families to be able to get a break from caregiving,” said Briery. “Because of the special nature of who we serve and the limited opportunities that they have to have this type of experience, when we look at all of the needs, there’s no way we could keep from opening.”

The camp hoped to reopen its doors Sunday, but because of another flash flood warning in the area, they pushed it back until Monday. While Briery said he understands the concerns of the community, it’s a moment of normalcy for their families, a moment to recover and rebuild together.

“There is also hope, that hope that tomorrow can be better because there are people who are willing to come together to make things like this happen,” he said.