None of six bodies found in county are Kendall residents

Kendall County official Monday said none of the six bodies found along the Guadalupe River are county residents.

In a joint press conference, city and county officials addressed the search-and-rescue efforts underway since the rain-deluged Guadalupe River rose to 34 feet -- including 26 feet in 40 minutes -- in the predawn hours Friday.

"Although there have been six recoveries, there are no confirmed missing Kendall County residents as of today," said Brady Constantine, Kendall County fire marshal and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) manager. "Identification is pending on the six individuals recovered."

Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk and Boerne Fire Department Assistant Chief Walter Ball joined Constantine behind the podium, introduced by Boerne Assistant City Manager Kristy Stark.

Although the trio took no questions from the media, the inference is bodies being recovered are from the Hunt, Ingram, Center Point and Kerrville areas upstream.

More than 80 people have died and as many as 40 are still missing or unaccounted for from sites along the river.

Ball said Boerne Fire Department responded with two special operations boat teams in the Comfort area, where they handled eight rescues and multiple evacuations as waters began to rise into Comfort neighborhoods about 8:30 a.m.

Stolarczyk thanked the various organizations and individuals who risked their lives to try to save others as the Guadalupe swelled out of its banks and swept away people, trailers, cars, buildings, trees and everything imaginable.

"This was an unprecedented and devastating event, one that brought tremendous loss and hardship to our community," Stolarczyk said. "Despite the severity of the flooding, which caused widespread damage and displacement, swift and coordinated effort across county department and partnering agencies helped mitigate even greater loss here in Kendall County."

He thanked first responders "for their selfless actions ... risking their own safety to save others." He thanked Constantine for his leadership and rapid activation of the EOC.

The county's road and bridge crews "worked around the clock in dangerous conditions to restore safe passage, assess storm damage and place protective barricades" at many high-water crossings, the county judge said. He also thanked county employees, many of whom gave up their holidays to assist as needs arose.

"Without your bravery, collaboration and dedication, the devastation could have been far greater," he said.

"This flood tested us, but it also reminds us of who we are," the county judge said. "In the face of adversity, Kendall County came together. Neighbors helped neighbors, strangers became rescuers and our sense of community shined in the darkness."

Constantine thanked the partnership with state and local officials who worked side by side with local responders.

The EOC, activated at 6:37 a.m. July 4, will remain open as long as needed, Constantine said. He said search-and-recovery activity will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, as other casualties from upriver could turn up in the county's stretch of the Guadalupe

"As of 9 p.m. (Sunday), the confirmed death toll in Kendall County has risen to six," a release received at 1:08 p.m. from Kendall County Emergency Management officials stated. "Our hearts are with every family and individual affected. We are receiving your messages and doing our best to respond, but please understand that our resources are fully deployed across rescue, recovery, and mitigation operations."

Officials in the EOC, stationed in the Boerne Police Department, said they continue to receive calls from residents wishing to pitch in and volunteer.

"At this time, we are not seeking volunteers," officials at the EOC stated. "Our certified rescue teams and K9 units are actively engaged in ongoing operations, and excess foot traffic can disrupt these critical efforts.

"Should volunteer opportunities arise in the future, we will post official requests through our established channels," the release stated.

"We urge everyone to be cautious with social media posts and avoid spreading unverified information. False reports and rumors can cause additional pain for families who are already grieving and disrupt the work of those trying to help," the county stated in the release. "Please follow official county and emergency management pages for accurate updates."

The county said it will soon issue guidance on how the public should properly handle and preserve any personal items or remains that may be found.