HARROWING

Number of People Missing in Texas Floods Much Higher Than Initially Thought

Authorities previously said that at least 40 were missing.

More than 170 people are still believed to be missing in central Texas after catastrophic flash floods killed more than 100 individuals during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that at least 173 people remained unaccounted for, with 161 of them stemming from Kerr County, which was hit the hardest by the floods. The number of those missing notably quadrupled from the official tally of 40 that authorities previously announced earlier this week. Hotlines have been set up for families to call about their missing loved ones. The death toll surpassed 100 on Monday and currently stands at 111, per The New York Times. Kerr County also saw the highest number of fatalities with a total of 87 as of Tuesday morning; 57 were adults and 30 were children. Rescue operations are still underway as emergency responders and volunteers sift through debris and wreckage. President Donald Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration, prompting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be activated in Texas over the weekend. He is slated to visit Texas on Friday.