Volunteer Fire Chief Missing During Flood Response in Texas

A volunteer fire chief in Texas has gone missing after being swept away by floodwaters while responding to a water rescue call. The incident occurred early Saturday morning when Chief Michael Phillips of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department was en route to assist during severe flooding in the region.

According to local officials, Phillips’ vehicle was seen sliding off the road amid torrential rain in Burnet County, approximately 100 miles northeast of Camp Mystic, where a deadly flood resulted in 27 fatalities. Police officers watched helplessly as his vehicle was carried away by rushing waters.

Deputies involved in flood monitoring reported observing Phillips’ vehicle slide off the roadway during the storm. Despite efforts to locate him, only the vehicle has been recovered so far, and the search for Phillips continues. He remains one of three individuals still unaccounted for in the area, while three fatalities have been confirmed.

Since the flooding began, rescue teams have performed over 63 rescues across the county. State officials have reported a rising death toll, with the number surpassing 100 by Monday evening. In particular, at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, floodwaters surged 26 feet in less than an hour, claiming 27 lives among campers and staff. Searchers are still looking for 10 girls and one counselor reported missing.

Kerr County officials recovered 75 bodies, including 48 adults and 27 children. Texas Senator Ted Cruz expressed regret that the camp was not evacuated sooner and noted that vulnerable populations, especially young children, should have been moved to higher ground more promptly.