A Kerrville-area river authority executed a contract for a flood warning system that would have been used to help with emergency response, local officials said.

The Texas flash floods death toll rose to 119 on Wednesday, as worries grew that the figure could more than double with over 160 people still reported missing. Workers in central Texas continued to comb through piles of muddy debris from the July 4 floods as Governor Greg Abbott ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff over the tragedy.

Heartbreaking reminders of celebration now serve as symbols of loss in Kerr County, Texas, where 160 flood victims remain unaccounted for.

In Kerr County, Thad Heartfield is leading nearly 100 volunteers searching for flood victims. For him, this mission is personal. His son and three of his son's friends disappeared in the flood.

The situation evolves daily. Several nonprofit groups that have arrived said they plan to remain on the ground for the next few weeks, providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

This part of Texas is one of the most flood-prone areas in the entire world. Here’s a look at some of the region’s worst floods on record.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday ordered state legislators to convene a special session on Monday as the death toll rose to at least 120 people and 172 reported missing in Fourth of July flooding in the Hill Country.

Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.

"Amid so much sorrow, we are inspired by the strength of the Texas community as it comes together during this incredibly difficult time," the group said.