Texas Flood: US & Mexico Search & Rescue Crews Aid in Kerr County
170+ still missing
Rescue and Recovery crews from around the country (and other countries) have responded to assist in a massive search effort to find more than 170 people still missing a week after a July 4, 2025, flood swept through Kerr County, Texas. Many of those missing were camping for the holiday along the Guadalupe River, which swept through the popular tourist area following torrential rains. More than 120 bodies have been recovered there so far.
Some of the crews came from as far away as Mexico. Texas Monthly's J.B. Sauceda came across Mexican Federal Police Officers and their cadaver dogs assisting in the search for missing victims. They were in Texas with their animals for a training session when the disaster occurred. and responded to the scene after requests for assistance reached their trainers.
Stateside rescue and recovery crews came from as far away as Florida and Nebraska after Texas and Federal officials issued calls for out-of-state resources to join in what is now a weeklong search effort.
Other states sending aid to Texas include Arkansas, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Texas has deployed 2,200 people to the disaster area from 20 state agencies, including:
Texas Division of Emergency Management: The State of Texas Incident Management Team to support deployed emergency response resources across the state; Communications Coordination Group personnel and equipment to enhance interoperability and technology capabilities; Incident Support Task Force and Disaster Recovery Task Force including Voluntary Agency Liaisons to support recovery efforts; Regional field staff who remain tied in with local officials
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1, Texas Task Force 2, Texas A&M Task Force 3, and Texas A&M Public Works Response Team): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads and Floodwater Boat Squads to assist with flood rescues; Urban Search and Rescue Teams; K-9 support teams; personnel assessing public works infrastructure
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens; radio technician teams; rescue boat teams; aerial support assets including helicopters with hoist capability supporting flood rescue operations
Texas National Guard: High profile vehicles to aid stranded motorists; aerial assets such as Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters with hoist capability to assist with flood rescues; personnel to assist with damage assessments and shelter operations
Texas Department of Public Safety: Helicopters with hoist capabilities; Texas Highway Patrol Troopers; Criminal Investigation Division; Texas Rangers Special Operations Group; Victim and Employee Support Services Team; intelligence and counterterrorism analysts; communications operators; vehicle and technical services response operations personnel; DPS Aviation; radio communications support; and the Tactical Marine Unit
Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions and aiding with road repairs; fuel equipment to assist local first responders; personnel supporting debris removal efforts
Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews to assist with debris removal; Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike teams assisting local fire departments and conducting damage assessments
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as County Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs and assisting with damage assessments as well as resource staging areas
Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team: Veterinary medical support for animals impacted by flooding
Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
Texas Department of State Health Services: Critical Incident Stress Management resources for responders; mortuary support; Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Severe Weather Support Packages and ambulance strike teams consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles; medical support for first responders
Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Personnel supporting behavioral health needs in affected areas; Personnel to provide information on available services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network
Texas Department of Insurance: Providing guidance on flood-related insurance claims and support to affected policyholders
Texas Department of Agriculture: Coordination of agricultural disaster response and support for affected producers
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission: Assistance with law enforcement coordination and support
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Coordinating with regulated industries and licensed professionals involved in response and recovery operations
Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure
Texas Historical Commission: Personnel supporting coordination of debris sites
Lower Colorado River Authority: Monitoring river conditions, operating floodgates, and supporting regional flood response efforts
In addition to state resources, the federal government has played an important role in responding to the disaster. Coast Guard aircraft and crews from their air station in Corpus Christi were among the first to rescue stranded victims as the river still raged.
US Coast Guard Air Crews from Corpus Christi were the first rescuers to reach “Camp Mystic” along the Guadalupe River, where 27 children and camp counselors died during the Kerr County floods.
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has assigned Border Patrol Search and Rescue Crews and even a horse unit to search the riverbanks for missing victims following the deadly floods along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country.
What is your opinion of the emergency response to the Kerr County flood?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Jack, the people in Texas have my sympathy and prayers. What impressed me most was how great the people of the USA come together to help. From all the different states. Only in the USA. Jack, there are more good people than bad ones. It's heartwarming to see the volunteers from across the USA and Mexico. Thank you Jack for the information.