The number of people reported missing following the catastrophic Fourth of July floods in Texas Hill Country has dropped drastically from around 160 to just three, according to Kerr County officials.

The Kerr County Flood Disaster Joint Information Center, in a statement released Saturday, credited intensive coordination among local, state, and federal agencies for verifying the safety of dozens initially feared lost.

“This has been a tireless verification effort,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, adding that the steep decline in missing persons was due to recovered victims, confirmation of safety for many, and the elimination of duplicate or inaccurate reports.

The deadly flash floods, centered along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, have claimed at least 135 lives.

The disaster is being called one of the deadliest in Texas history, devastating local communities, summer camps, and vacation properties that line the riverbanks. At Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls’ camp, at least 27 young campers and staff were among the dead.

The region’s terrain with its dry, compacted soil makes it particularly vulnerable to sudden flooding, and recent rains further complicated search and rescue efforts. International teams have joined local responders in ongoing recovery operations.

In response to mounting scrutiny, Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the agenda for Monday’s special legislative session to include flood response, emergency communication systems, and improved forecasting.

While Abbott has downplayed criticism over delayed alerts and missing infrastructure, he acknowledged the need for legislative review and reform.

Lawmakers from both chambers have launched special committees to investigate flood preparedness and will hold a joint hearing on July 31 in Kerrville to gather input from affected residents. Proposed legislation already includes a bill aimed at setting stricter building codes for youth camps situated in known flood zones.

Despite intense public questioning, President Donald Trump and Governor Abbott have defended the emergency response, dismissing criticism as politicized. Trump, who visited the area on July 11, praised first responders and called media questioning "evil," while Abbott referred to blame-casting as “the word choice of losers.”

As Texas mourns and begins to rebuild, lawmakers face pressure to act swiftly and ensure the state is better equipped for future climate-driven disasters.