Over the Independence Day weekend, catastrophic flooding hit six counties in central Texas, where, as of the most recent reports, at least 80 have been killed.
In Kerr County, home to Kerrville and the nearby Guadalupe River, officials have reported 75 deaths, according to CBS News. The Guadalupe River surged 20-26 feet, causing widespread damage, and taking the lives of 27 young campers and counselors over the holiday weekend.
West of Austin, Kerrville and surrounding areas, like Ingram, Texas, are still at risk of further flash flooding, as search and rescue efforts continue.
To help in recovery and relief efforts, firefighters and first responders from Mexico have arrived in Kerr County. More than 20 firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico and Fundación 911 arrived in the area Sunday morning and got right to work alongside the Mountain Home Fire Department.
Amid tense political discourse around immigration and the intensifying efforts to detain Mexican migrants by the Trump administration’s recently-bolstered Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, members of the search and rescue team from Fundación 911 say they believe in “solidarity without borders.”
“In close collaboration with Mountain Home Fire Dept. our elements actively participate in search and rescue efforts, reaffirming their commitment to serve where it is needed most, regardless of borders or distances,” the organization shared on Facebook in a statement that was auto-translated by the social media site.
“Our duty is with life, hope, and solidarity.”
The volunteers from Mexico responded to the call for support from Texas nonprofit Equusearch, a search and recovery organization founded by a man named Tim Miller whose daughter was abducted and murdered in 1984. Since 2000, he has helped mobilize volunteers to thousands of cases in Texas and beyond, providing resolution and closure to families.
When the floods hit Texas, Miller’s organization reached out to their contacts in Mexico.
“Our foundation will be giving logistical support, coordination and communication during the work,” Fundación 911 shared in a statement on July 5. “May everyone return safely and we are waiting for you back.”
In addition to having extra boots on the ground, the first responders from Mexico are also providing drones and other technology to help locate Texans who are still missing.
On Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said that there were still 41 people confirmed to be unaccounted for across the state, and more could be missing, according to WSAW News.
The organizations have shared updates and videos on their social media pages as the search and rescue efforts continue into a new week.
“Thank you for your readiness to serve, your strength in uncertainty, and your willingness to stand by families in their darkest hours,” Equusearch Texas shared in a social media post, thanking volunteers.
“We currently have boots on the ground conducting reconnaissance and developing a strategic search plan … This will be a continuous effort, and we anticipate an ongoing need for assistance in the coming days.”
The organization closed its statement with a prayer.
“May strength rise for those in sorrow, may peace find those who wait, and may we each be guided to where we are needed most.”
Header image courtesy of Civil Protection and Fire Department of Acuña, Coahuila/Facebook
