KERRVILLE, Texas – In a significant and unexpected development, the number of individuals reported missing following this month's catastrophic floods in Kerr County has been revised down from nearly 100 to just three, officials announced late Saturday. While the news brings immense relief to a community fearing a far greater loss of life, authorities have provided little explanation for the dramatic revision, raising questions about the initial accounting process.

The confirmed death toll from the disaster remains tragically high at 135.

A Sudden Revision

The revision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing disaster response. For days, emergency crews and anxious families operated under the assumption that dozens of people remained unaccounted for after historic flash floods tore through the Texas Hill Country. The list of the missing, which at its peak approached 100 names, was a source of widespread public anxiety.

In a brief statement, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office confirmed the new figure but did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the precipitous drop. Officials have not detailed whether the initial figures were inflated by duplicate reports, communication breakdowns, or individuals who were located but had not yet been formally removed from the list.

Disaster management experts note that initial missing-person lists in large-scale emergencies are often fluid and subject to revision. Chaos, downed communication lines, and displaced residents seeking shelter with friends or family can lead to inaccurate early counts. However, a reduction of this magnitude is notable and highlights the challenge of information management in the critical hours following a disaster.

The Human Toll and a Difficult Recovery

Despite the revised count, the scale of the tragedy in Kerr County remains immense. The 135 confirmed fatalities make this one of the deadliest flooding events in Texas history. Recovery teams continue the grim task of searching through debris-choked waterways and destroyed properties for the three individuals who are still missing.

"Every one of these numbers represents a person, a family, a part of our community," said a spokesperson for the Texas Division of Emergency Management. "While we are relieved the number of unaccounted for is much lower than feared, our focus remains on finding those who are still missing and supporting the families of the 135 victims."

The floods, triggered by a stationary storm system that dumped unprecedented amounts of rain, caused widespread devastation. Homes were washed from their foundations, bridges were destroyed, and infrastructure across the region suffered catastrophic damage.

A Community in Mourning Shifts to Rebuilding

As search-and-rescue operations scale down, the focus in Kerr County is slowly shifting toward long-term recovery. Temporary shelters remain in operation, and state and federal aid has begun to arrive. The emotional and economic recovery, however, is expected to take years.

Residents are now returning to their properties to assess the damage, a heartbreaking process for many who have lost everything. Community-led initiatives and volunteer groups have mobilized to provide food, water, and assistance with the cleanup.

The questions surrounding the initial missing-persons count will likely be addressed in after-action reviews. For now, the community is grappling with its profound loss while holding out hope for the three people who have yet to be found.