In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Kerr County, Texas, adding insult to the unthinkable tragedy, officials are now reporting that scam artists have begun to target the families of victims. According to FOX 7 Austin, these scammers have been making calls pretending to have information about missing loved ones and demanding money from grieving families. Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice conveyed the heartrending situation, noting, "Victims' families are being reached out to saying that they have their kids paying me money. It's heartbreaking, it's absolutely heartbreaking."
These malevolent actors have also inundated missing person hotlines with fraudulent calls, ultimately complicating the search for real missing persons. Rice revealed to FOX 4 News that the county is struggling to even begin to assess a solid count of missing persons because they have to also field "hundreds" of scam calls. This despicable situation further burdens officials who are already attempting to provide aid and solace amid the aftermath of nature's wrath.
Following heavy rains on July 4th, floodwaters surged along the Guadalupe River, culminating in a disaster with officials confirming the loss of 75 lives, including 48 adults and 27 children. This count was provided in a grim update on Monday morning, as per FOX 7 Austin. In addition, there are still 10 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, reported missing amidst the chaos wrought by the holiday weekend's events. Kerr County's challenge is compounded by the fact that many were visiting due to the holiday, which clouds the exact number of those who remain unaccounted for.
Amidst this turmoil, hotlines meant to report missing persons are under siege by calls 24 hours a day. Some callers claim to see visions or make other dubious claims related to the missing individuals, as stated by Dalton Rice in an interview with FOX 4 News. This surge in scam calls is not just taxing the resources of the county, but also straining the mental reserves of the staff tasked to sift through these calls in the hope of finding legitimate leads.
In response to the current crisis, FOX 7 Austin is encouraging the public to support the relief efforts by donating to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, which aims to aid affected communities and facilitate rebuilding efforts. This fund stands as a beacon of hope for those grappling with the dire situation on the ground, an opportunity for hands near and far to reach out and help lift Kerr County from the floods' ruinous touch.
