Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips remains missing after being swept away by powerful floodwaters in Travis County while responding to an emergency on Saturday. His emergency vehicle has been recovered, but search efforts for Phillips are still underway, officials confirmed Monday.
Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd provided an update during a press conference, stating that teams are actively searching for Phillips in areas of Burnet County, where he and another individual went missing amid the flooding.
“We found his vehicle… but we still have not located Chief Phillips,” Sheriff Boyd said. “Another person from the Burnet area is also missing. His vehicle was located, but he too has not been found.”
Boyd noted that widespread flood damage, including washed-out roads and impassable low-lying areas, has significantly hampered search and rescue operations. Search teams are relying on horseback and all-terrain vehicles to navigate rough terrain, according to local ABC affiliate KVUE.
Who Is Michael Phillips?
According to his Facebook profile, Michael Phillips has served as the fire chief of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department since at least 1995. He’s a respected figure in the community, having previously worked as Director of Maintenance at the Marble Falls Independent School District. He studied Fire Science at Columbia Southern University.
Texas Flood Disaster Continues
The ongoing disaster in central Texas has prompted a flash flood emergency, with the National Weather Service keeping several counties under alert. The Guadalupe River, which runs through Kerr County, rose dramatically following over 11 inches of rain this past weekend.
At least 75 people have been confirmed dead in Kerr County alone, with many more still missing. Rescue operations continue across the region as floodwaters recede and more areas become accessible.
