INGRAM, Texas (AP) — While traversing the brush on horseback and passing numerous dead turkeys, Margo Mellon spent her Tuesday searching the flood-ravaged terrain of Texas’ Hill Country for deceased individuals.

As she and her rescue team navigated the muddy landscape, state officials disclosed that over 160 people are still reported missing. With vast areas submerged due to the floods, the end of the search efforts remains uncertain.

The successes of finding survivors concluded days ago, while the mission to recover bodies, potentially including more children, continues. This grim task has raised questions about how first responders and rescue teams cope with the psychological demands of their work.

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Mellon, a 24-year-old volunteer with Texas EquuSearch, which collaborates with local fire departments, mentioned that she feels emotionally detached as she concentrates on her duties. However, she anticipates that processing the experience will be challenging once she returns to Corpus Christi.

“I’ll try not to dwell on it too much,” she expressed. “I’ll focus on the fact that at least the families find closure.”

The flash floods inundated homes, campgrounds, and an all-girls summer camp during the Fourth of July weekend. More than 100 people lost their lives, including 30 children.

“We handle it as best as we can,” Lt. Colonel Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens said Tuesday during a press briefing after taking a deep breath.

“We’re ensuring they have the necessary support,” Baker said regarding the search teams, adding that “witnessing a child in such a tragic state is extremely heartbreaking.”

Operating on Autopilot

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