As catastrophic flooding continues to ravage central Texas, the death toll has climbed to at least 52—among them a beloved high school soccer coach and his wife. Their two young children remain missing.
Reece Zunker, head coach of the Tivy High School Boys Soccer Team, and his wife Paula were confirmed dead after their home was swept away by raging floodwaters on July 3. A relative reported seeing their house “floating down the Guadalupe River.” The couple’s family and the local soccer community confirmed the tragic news on social media.
Their disappearance is part of a growing crisis that has claimed the lives of 15 children and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses across the region.
In an emotional tribute, the Tivy Boys Soccer team wrote on Facebook:
“Coach Zunker rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy. His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community, and family will never be forgotten.”
Dozens responded, sharing heartfelt stories of his lasting influence both on and off the field.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about the timing and effectiveness of emergency alerts. Residents say flood warnings did not begin until 1:18 p.m. on July 3, with officials initially describing the weather as only a “moderate” storm. It wasn’t until 1:00 a.m. Friday that a flash flood warning was issued, followed by a more urgent Flash Flood Emergency at 4:30 a.m.—by which time water was already pouring into homes.
Pope Francis also addressed the disaster during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, offering condolences and prayers.
“I express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones – in particular their daughters who were at summer camp – in the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas,” he said. Twenty-seven children are still missing from an all-girls Christian camp that was engulfed by the swollen river.
The National Weather Service continues to monitor the region, issuing a flood watch through Sunday for several counties, including Kerr, where most fatalities have occurred. Counties affected include Bandera, Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Comal, Hays, Travis, and Williamson, among others.
Meteorologists warn that an additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall is expected, with localized areas potentially seeing up to 10 inches, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Rescue teams are still combing through debris in search of the missing, while devastated communities brace for more rain and mourn the lives already lost.