Local News
Governor Greg Abbott Confirms 109 Dead, 161 Missing Amid Catastrophic Flooding in Kerr County
KERR COUNTY, TX — Governor Greg Abbott confirmed on Tuesday that at least 109 people have died and 161 remain unaccounted for in Kerr County following catastrophic flooding in central Texas.
The announcement came during a visit to the region, where Abbott was joined by House Speaker Dustin Burrows to assess the devastation and discuss the state’s emergency response efforts.
Texas Game Wardens Lt. Col. Ben Baker stated that his agency responded in the early hours of Friday, July 4, and has since deployed over 300 game wardens to the area.
The search and rescue teams have covered more than 26 miles of the Guadalupe River, conducting approximately 444 rescues and confirming 30 recoveries.
Resources deployed by Texas Game Wardens include:
- 2 helicopters with hoist-equipped rescue teams
- 10 K-9 search and recovery units
- 9 swift water rescue boat crews
- 15 airboats
- 16 utility terrain vehicles (UTVs)
- 169 four-wheel drive vehicles
Lt. Col. Baker emphasized that Texas Game Wardens will remain on-site in Kerr County for the foreseeable future and urged continued prayers and support for the victims, their families, first responders, and the affected communities as the search and recovery efforts continue.
Governor Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for multiple counties impacted by the historic floods and pledged to allocate all necessary state resources to support ongoing operations.
Talladega County, Ala. – Authorities have confirmed that a 55-year-old Sylacauga man was killed in an early morning ATV crash after colliding with a deer in Talladega County.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, on Oakland Road, about two miles west of Sycamore.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division, the victim has been identified as Willie F. Martin.
Investigators reported that Martin was operating a 2020 Yamaha YFZ450 ATV when the vehicle struck a deer in the roadway.
Following the impact, the ATV veered off the road and overturned. Martin was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Trooper Jaylon James of ALEA confirmed the details of the crash and said that no other vehicles were involved.
The collision remains under investigation by ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division, and no additional information has been released at this time.