KERRVILLE - The death toll from the July Fourth flash flood that ravaged a swath of central Texas Hill Country rose on Tuesday to at least 109, many of them children, as search teams pressed on through mounds of mud-encrusted debris for scores of people still missing.

Kerr County officials Tuesday appeared to dodge questions about how soon they were notified about deadly flash floods in central Texas and who was responsible for immediate response efforts, as law enforcement warned the death toll from the flooding will likely rise.

Local officials in one of the hardest-hit counties have still revealed little about what, if any, actions they took to safeguard residents, tourists, and visitors in an area known as “flash flood alley.