Harrowing pics show volunteer fire chief’s vehicle after he was swept away in floods
A desperate search is currently underway for Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips, who went missing when floodwaters swept away his emergency vehicle near Cow Creek in Texas Hill Country. The incident occurred in Travis County, Texas, approximately 50 miles from Austin.
Gary Ludwig, the past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, shared the news on Facebook, stating that Chief Phillips was responding to a call when he was swept away by floodwaters early Saturday. Despite the discovery of his vehicle, Phillips remains missing as of Sunday evening.
Harrowing images show Phillips’ truck completely smashed and covered in debris from the flood. The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office has been actively searching for him, focusing their efforts on three specific areas off FM 1431 between Faith Academy and the Cow Creek area. Additional searches are also taking place north of US Highway 281 near Hamilton Creek in Burnet.
As of the latest update, there are five known missing individuals, with the remains of three individuals already recovered. Despite the challenges posed by intense flooding and ongoing rainfall, search teams remain dedicated to locating all missing individuals.
Authorities have noted that the search operations have been complicated by the damaged infrastructure caused by the flooding. Rescue efforts are further hindered by the hazardous conditions, preventing the use of methods such as horseback or ATV patrols in the affected areas.
Phillips, who has been a volunteer fire chief since 1995, is still missing, according to his Facebook profile. The Marble Falls Fire Department and the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office have been contacted for updates on the search but have not yet responded.
The White House has reported at least 91 fatalities in central Texas due to flash flooding that began on the morning of the Fourth of July. The National Weather Service has issued multiple Flash Flood Warnings for counties in central Texas.
Stepheny Price, a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covers topics such as missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, and illegal immigration. Tips and story ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
