The catastrophic Central Texas floods have claimed at least 121 lives and left 173 missing, as a report reveals that Kerr County officials were repeatedly denied state funding for an emergency flood warning system.

Flash floods surged through in the middle of the night, but many local officials appeared unaware of the unfolding catastrophe, initially leaving people near the river on their own.

At least 120 people have been found dead since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the river and flowed through homes and youth camps in the early morning hours of July 4.

the death toll has reached 120 with more than 170 people still missing after flash floods in the state.

As the massive search for flood victims entered its seventh day, local officials on Thursday said the death toll in Kerr County has risen to 96.