Texas Floods Kill 129, 160 Missing in Ongoing Search

Central Texas is grappling with a devastating flood that has killed at least 129 people and left over 160 missing, with Kerr County being the hardest hit. The flooding occurred rapidly during the Fourth of July weekend, with the Guadalupe River rising 8 to 9 meters in under an hour, overwhelming youth camps and recreational areas. Search efforts for the missing have been temporarily paused due to ongoing rainfall, though authorities plan to resume once conditions improve. Among the confirmed victims are Leonardo Romero and Natalia Venzor, whose bodies were found after their vehicle was swept away; their two-year-old son remains missing. Experts have noted that FEMA's flood risk models are outdated, potentially contributing to inadequate warnings, as emergency alerts were only sent via SMS to those registered, rather than through a broader system. President Donald Trump has declared a state of natural disaster in Texas and intends to visit the state, underscoring the severity of the crisis.