Harrowing photos have emerged showing the wreckage of volunteer fire chief Michael Phillips’ emergency vehicle after he was swept away in catastrophic flash flooding near Cow Creek, Texas. The vehicle, which was completely smashed and covered in flood debris, was found after a desperate search, but Phillips remains missing. According to past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Gary Ludwig, Phillips was driving an emergency vehicle when he went missing late Saturday morning near Cow Creek in Travis County, Texas, 50 miles from Austin. He was responding to an emergency call when the floodwaters swept him away.
The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they are actively searching for Phillips, with the search area being focused on three distinct areas off FM 1431 between Faith Academy and the Cow Creek area, and an additional search underway north of US Highway 281 near Hamilton Creek in Burnet. As of Sunday evening, the sheriff’s office reported that three individuals’ remains have been recovered, with five others reported missing. The search for Phillips, however, remains ongoing as officials face challenges from ongoing rain and damaged infrastructure. The National Weather Service has issued multiple Flash Flood Warnings for central Texas, with officials noting that some search methods, such as horseback or ATV patrols, are currently not viable due to hazardous conditions.
During a news conference on Monday, Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd emphasized that teams remain dedicated to the ongoing search until all missing individuals are located. Over the weekend, officials said that intense flooding swept through the region, complicating their search operations. The White House confirmed that at least 91 people were killed in central Texas in flash flooding that began early on the morning of the Fourth of July. As of Sunday evening, the search for Phillips, along with other missing individuals, continues as authorities prepare for the possibility of further casualties due to the ongoing rain and damaged infrastructure.