KERR COUNTY, Texas – Colorado Task Force 1 (CO-TF1) continues its search and rescue efforts along the Guadalupe River following the devastating floods in Texas earlier this month.
On July 3, intense overnight storms dumped more than a summer’s worth of rain in Kerr County, causing the Guadalupe River to overflow and flood surrounding areas. The catastrophic flooding has left at least 132 people dead, with many still missing.
CO-TF1 was deployed to the region on July 7. As of Monday, the team completed a primary search on both sides of an eight-mile stretch of the river. However, some parts of the main river channel still need to be checked. Ongoing rain and rising water levels are making those areas difficult to access.
Search crews, including specially trained dogs, also began examining tributaries that feed into the Guadalupe River. “This is extremely detailed work, as there are thousands of piles of debris littered all along the river,” CO-TF1 said in a statement.
The task force is working alongside local law enforcement, heavy equipment operators, EMS teams, fire crews, four saw teams, and additional search teams from South Carolina and Oklahoma. A drone operator is also aiding the mission by surveying hard-to-reach areas.
On Monday, 33 more crew members from Colorado joined CO-TF1, bringing the team’s total to 81 members and five canines.
With more thunderstorms expected, river conditions remain dangerous and continue to hinder search operations.
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