KERR COUNTY, TEXAS – A growing wall of flowers and photographs honoring the victims of last weekend’s deadly floods has been taking shape in Kerrville over the last 72 hours — a powerful expression of collective grief as locals struggle to come to terms with the immense scale of the tragedy.

While search and rescue operations continue and helicopters buzz overhead, this roadside memorial has become a solemn gathering point for reflection, remembrance and shared sorrow. The photographs put a face to each victim and the flowers represent their lives.

A sign reading “River of Angels” pinned to the rail has given the memorial its unofficial title, a name that gently captures the weight of loss that has transpired here. Kerr County was hit the hardest, with at least 100 deaths and more than 160 still missing. 

FAITH BRINGS LIGHT TO DEVASTATED TEXAS TOWN AFTER DEADLY FLOODING DISASTER

The memorial was started by Leo Soto, who traveled from Miami to lay the first flowers. His Wall of Hope non-profit has been erecting memorials since the Surfside condo building collapse in Miami in 2021. 

“It’s a place that has become really special… I let the community know that this was taking place and within hours there were dozens and dozens of people helping us to attach the flowers surrounding the pictures of the victims,” Soto said of the Kerrville memorial.

“Since then, people have been bringing teddy bears, children have been bringing drawings, people have been bringing balloons, they’re bringing their own flowers. It’s become a really powerful place for the community to begin to heal and to just spread some love in the air — in a place that badly needs it.”

The River of Angels sign, he added, was placed later by someone he doesn’t know — a reflection of how the memorial has taken on a life of its own after Soto laid its foundations.

The scene was at times overwhelming. In one particularly raw moment, a woman studying the photographs let out a sudden shriek. She had apparently recognized a face on the display but had not realized the person was among the deceased. 

Visibly shaken, she stumbled away from the fence, crouched down near the curb and made a call on her cell phone, tears streaming down her face that were etched in pain.

Carolyn Miller, a longtime Texas resident, was overcome with emotion too as she spoke of her immense sorrow.

Two women lay flowers at the “River of Angels” Memorial in Kerrville, Texas. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

“The grief, it’s devastating, and not just now,” Miller said. “It will be devastating for years. Some people may never be found. There’s just so much debris, silt in the water, it’s unbearable.”

“What’s happened is absolutely heartbreaking to everyone here. I mean, the outpouring of support is unbelievable. I went out to find a place to help clean up — but there were so many volunteers already so I brought cleaning supplies. I brought flowers. And I’ve cried way too many tears.”

She said the resilience of Texans and people across the country has been unshakable.

“Texas Strong. Hill Country Proud,” Miller said. 

Images of the victims at the memorial wall in Kerrville, Texas. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

Some were too upset to speak.

Anne Lowery, a lifelong Kerrville resident who experienced previous flooding disasters in the area, said nothing compares to last week’s deluge of rain.

“This is way worse than the 1987 flood. The amount of water — and just the people it wiped out. It’s tragic,” Lowery said. “It’s just overwhelming sadness. I have a home and everything’s okay in it. And when I get up and go to the kitchen and wash the dishes or something, I just feel like I did nothing. And it’s like… I want to do something. I want to help.”

Lowery, like many others, spoke fondly of Kervillle Tivy coach Reece Zunker, who died along with his wife. Their two sons are reportedly still missing.

“I knew the coach — he taught both my grandsons in soccer. Everybody loved him. His whole family.”

A woman and a child in front of the “River of Angels” memorial. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

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Madison Boner, a local high school student, said Zunker helped her overcome her lack of confidence.

“He was a great teacher. I had him for construction but he also taught robotics and soccer,” Boner said. “He was super encouraging and nice. I was always real shy, so sometimes he would have to make me speak my mind.”

“Like he would say, ‘Hey, can you tell the other students what to do today?’ because he wanted me to find my voice. He wanted the best future for all of his students.”

Boner said Zunker was supposed to teach her for another three years but instead wouldn’t make it to the new school year, like other victims. 

“These people… these are our community. Some kids are gonna go back to school and just have to sit there like, ‘She’s not here.’ It’s heartbreaking. This took people. You can’t reverse it.”

For many, turning to faith brings some comfort.

A woman places flowers on a memorial for the Texas flood victims. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

Bishop Julian Dobbs of the St. Michael and All Angels Church in Kerrville was at the memorial too and said his church has been offering prayer and presence to first responders and victims. He, along with Bishop Marc Steele, encouraged people to gather for worship and to find hope in the power of faith in tragedy. 

“How can you not look at those photographs and realize that every single human being — every life, young and old — is precious and sacred?” Dobbs said. “These were beautiful people, just living their lives, serving one another and in one moment, their lives were snuffed out. Their families changed forever.”

Toys at the memorial for the Texas flood victims. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

Dobbs said that one of his pastors was lucky to get out with his life as his rector was completely destroyed, while other members of the church had a family member who was killed. 

“There are still considerable numbers of people who are yet to be found, who are missing, so this community has changed forever,” Dobbs said. 

“This is a time to gather around what is the focus of the Christian faith — the hope that Jesus brings us — gather to worship Him and receive the support of each other.”

The hallmark of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump’s week included touching down in Kerrville, Texas, Friday after massive floods in the region took the lives of more than 120 people.

Both the president and the first lady met with local officials and first responders who are addressing the fallout and devastation of flash floods that struck the Central Texas community, after the Guadalupe River surged more than 22 feet in just a matter of hours. 

“I’ve never seen anything like this. This is a bad one,” Trump said during a roundtable Friday with the local officials and responders. 

In addition to the lives lost in the flood, officials report that more than 160 people are missing and unaccounted for in Kerr County, Texas. 

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“So all across the country, Americans’ hearts are shattered,” Trump said. “We’re filled with grief and devastation. It’s the loss of life, and unfortunately, they’re still looking.” 

“My administration’s doing everything in its power to help Texas,” he said. 

Those who died in the flooding were at least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp founded nearly 100 years ago for girls. 

“They were there because they loved God,” Trump said at the roundtable. “And as we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in the knowledge that God has welcomed those little beautiful girls into his comforting arms in heaven.”

Here’s what also happened this week:

Cabinet meeting

Trump held a Cabinet meeting Tuesday where he discussed plans to visit the Texas flood sites. 

“I’ll be going down on Friday with the first lady, and we will be taking a trip,” Trump said. “And we don’t want to get in anyone’s way, because, you know, it’s what happens. The president goes, and everyone’s around focused. I don’t want anyone to focus on us, but it’s possible they could have.”

TRUMP SHIFTS TONE ON PUTIN

President Donald Trump speaks July 9, wduring a Cabinet meeting with Secretary of Housing, Eric Scott Turner, left, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, center, at the White House.  (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

Trump also addressed SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s new pitch for a third political party, following the signing of Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill” on the Fourth of July. Musk opposed the measure due to concerns it would increase the deficit and raise the debt ceiling. 

But Trump said he isn’t worried about any challenges from Musk’s new “America Party.” 

“I think it’ll help us. It’ll probably help. Third parties have always been good for me,” Trump said at the Cabinet meeting. 

Trump also shared details of a recent call he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming he’s becoming frustrated with Putin as the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on. 

“We get a lot of bulls— thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

Netanyahu meeting

Trump also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and Tuesday — marking the third time Netanyahu has visited Washington during Trump’s second term. The visit comes as Trump is seeking to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

Trump signaled one might be on the horizon soon. 

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President Donald Trump, left, meets with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Blue Room of the White House, July 7, 2025, in Washington.  (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)

“I will tell you we’re getting very close to a deal,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “I don’t know if it’s secret or not secret, but doesn’t matter to me — secrets fine if it gets us to where we want to be, we want to have a ceasefire.”

“We want to have peace,” he said. “We want to get the hostages back. And I think we’re close to doing it.” 

KERR COUNTY, TEXAS – Kerrville residents who lined roads on Friday to welcome President Donald Trump said his visit brought hope and comfort —  and marked an important step in the town’s long road to healing and rebuilding.

The president and First Lady Melania Trump toured the area to assess the devastating damage and met with heartbroken victims’ families six days after a powerful flash flood killed at least 103 people and about 160 remain missing after the Guadalupe River surged more than 22 feet in just a matter of hours.

Some onlookers waited for hours in the baking Texas heat just to catch a glimpse of the president’s motorcade. A roadside portable message board displayed the searing temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit.

FAITH BRINGS LIGHT TO DEVASTATED TEXAS TOWN AFTER DEADLY FLOODING DISASTER

Locals told Fox News Digital that the president’s compassion in times of crisis has inspired them and that his presence brought national attention to the small, tight-knit town. Several also said his visit spotlighted the wave of local volunteerism, as neighbors have mobilized to help those who lost loved ones or everything they owned.

Aliz Tribes, who works at a rehabilitation hospital in Hunt, said Trump’s visit was a unifying moment.

“It’s very significant,” said Tribes, who was still visibly shaken by last week’s tragedy. “Our country needs to pull together right now and not point fingers at who’s right or wrong — but to come here and help us and rebuild our community.”

“His presence here is very heartfelt. Everyone is pulling together and I have never seen anything like this,” she added. “I just feel like he needed to see that we are behind him and we appreciate his support for our community.”

Larenda Boyd, a 30-year Kerrville resident and member of the Republican Women of Kerr County, said Trump’s visit reassured locals that they weren’t alone. She said the grief for victims’ families may be too raw for some to fully process, but that Trump’s visit will become comforting with time.

People watch as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pass in a motorcade in Kerrville, Texas, to monitor flood damage. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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“The situation, the devastation — it’s just hard for all of us to grasp and kind of wrap our heads around,” Boyd said. “He’s gonna make sure we have the resources we need to rebuild and the support. 

Boyd, like others, pointed out that Trump has consistently shown up in disaster zones — even while out of office — and drew contrasts with slower responses from his predecessor.

“You had four years of no one showing up. It is a comfort to me that his people care,” she said. “He sends them right down to make sure: what do we need? That is the president I want. That’s what I voted for. I want somebody that is going to help us and take care of us. Donald Trump really loves our country — and that’s what I voted for.”

Chris and Judy Johnson, longtime Texas residents who lived through major floods in 1978 and 1987, said the timing of Trump’s visit felt just right. Not too early to interfere, but early enough to signal real concern, they said.

“If he had done it earlier, it would have been a distraction,” Chris said. “Now it’s just showing support and I think it’s a big, strong move that lets everybody know that he cares. He always seems to show strong leadership in times of disasters and crises.”

Chris and Judy Johnson, longtime Texas residents, said the timing of Trump’s visit felt just right. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

“I think the most important thing is for him to say, ‘We’re praying for you,’” Judy said.

Trump, for his part, said that he and the first lady were there to “express the love and support and anguish of our entire nation.” 

“All across the country, Americans’ hearts are shattered,” Trump said at a roundtable with Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials. “We’re filled with grief and devastation. It’s the loss of life, and unfortunately, they’re still looking. My administration’s doing everything in its power to help Texas.”

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott meet with local emergency services personnel as they survey flood damage along the Guadalupe River on July 11, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.  (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Additionally, he told Fox News’ Will Cain that he felt obliged to be here. “It’s a community that’s been through a lot, and I wanted to show support – not with words, but with actions,” Trump said.

Many described Kerrville as “Trump country” and said his support lifted spirits at a moment of profound grief. Trump received nearly 78% of the votes in the county last year.

Brock Semingson, for instance, said he waited on the road for two hours to see the president.

“What a wonderful president… he’s supporting us,” he said. “Kerr County predominantly voted for President Trump and we have his support. It’s just something that we needed as a community. But to see him out here supporting us in person means a lot. He just has a very kind heart.”

Gloria Neel, a church volunteer, said she spent the morning handing out water and food before waiting in the heat to see the president. She said his visit would have a significant impact on grieving families.

“I’ve waited in this heat for several hours just to see him,” she said. “We’re very privileged to have him… to come see us. Let us know that he does care.”

A young woman crouches down in front of a memorial in Kerrville, Texas. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

Sarah Stewart said Trump’s presence symbolized strong leadership at a time when the country and community need unity. She said politics shouldn’t come into play during these times. 

“We need good leadership at a time like this. That’s important. And people want to rally around something that affects us all,” Stewart said. 

“The president is the leader of our whole country. He’s the leader for all Americans and it just goes to show even in small towns and small counties when tragedy strikes, he’s making sure that we get what we need.”