Texas Flooding Tragedy: Beloved Soccer Coach and Wife Among 52 Dead, Their Children Still Missing
A heartbreaking chapter is unfolding in central Texas, where catastrophic flash flooding has claimed at least 52 lives—including a beloved local soccer coach and his wife—while their two young children remain missing. As rescue crews continue the desperate search, communities are grappling with grief, shock, and anger over what’s now one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent state history.
A Family Swept Away
Among the victims are Coach Reece Zunker and his wife Paula, cherished members of the Kerrville community. The couple was swept away in the early hours of July 4, when torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Their home was seen floating down the river—a devastating image now etched in the memories of those who knew them.
Their two young children remain unaccounted for.
Zunker, head of the Tivy High School boys’ soccer team, was more than a coach. In a tribute posted by the team, he was remembered as a mentor, leader, and pillar of the community:
“Reece rebuilt the soccer program from the ground up. His legacy lives in every player he shaped, every student he lifted, and every life he touched.”
Disaster on an Unthinkable Scale
The flooding—triggered by historic rainfall—devastated wide swaths of central Texas, with Kerr County among the hardest-hit regions. The sheer speed and force of the rising waters left little time for evacuation. In less than an hour, communities were inundated as the river transformed into a raging torrent.
Emergency responders continue round-the-clock search and rescue operations. Still, treacherous conditions and the threat of additional storms have complicated efforts.
System Failure? Questions Mount Over Delayed Warnings
As the scope of the tragedy becomes clear, so too does public scrutiny over the timeline of warnings. Many residents say they received little or no alert before the floods overtook their homes.
The National Weather Service initially issued a “moderate” storm warning at 1:18 PM on July 3. It wasn’t until 1:00 AM the following morning that a flash flood warning was issued—hours after dangerous conditions had already begun. A Flash Flood Emergency, the highest level of alert, wasn’t declared until 4:30 AM, well after the river had breached its banks.
Critics argue this delay cost lives.
Geography Meets Climate: A Perfect Storm
Central Texas has long been prone to flash floods due to its topography—rolling hills, narrow canyons, and a web of rivers. But scientists warn that climate change is intensifying the risks. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier, faster rainstorms.
In this case, those forces converged with deadly consequences.
An Outpouring of Grief—and Action
Coach Zunker’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across Texas. Former players, parents, and students have shared stories of his impact—on the field and in their lives.
“He was the heart of our school,” one student wrote. “He taught us to fight, to believe, and to love the game—and each other.”
Meanwhile, efforts to strengthen local preparedness are already underway. Officials are reviewing the failures in early warning protocols and exploring improvements to forecasting systems, evacuation routes, and public communication.
Hope Amid Heartbreak
As communities mourn, hope endures that more survivors will be found. Volunteers and first responders press on—navigating wreckage, comforting families, and offering aid.
For many, the legacy of Coach Zunker and his wife will not end in tragedy. It will live on in the youth he mentored, the lives they shaped, and the determination of their community to rise again.