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4 July 2025
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Marble Falls volunteer fire chief among missing in Burnet County, Texas, US
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Fire Chief Michael Phillips of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department went missing on the morning of Saturday, July 5, 2025, while responding to a water rescue at Cow Creek during the historic Fourth of July flooding in Texas Hill Country. He was driving his emergency vehicle through torrential floodwaters in Burnet County (though the creek is officially in neighbouring Travis County) when his vehicle was swept off the roadway by flash floodwaters. Deputies witnessed the vehicle being overtaken but were unable to reach it in time.
The vehicle was later recovered, severely damaged and crushed by debris but Chief Phillips has not been found .
As of July 7, 2025, he remains unaccounted for and is one of three people still missing in Burnet County.
Search efforts involving Texas National Guard, DPS, local fire departments, drones, helicopters, boats, and K‑9 teams are ongoing, though challenging conditions from continued flooding and damaged infrastructure are hampering them
Chief Phillips, who has served as volunteer fire chief since 1995 and previously worked as the maintenance director for Marble Falls ISD, was last seen heading toward the flash-flooded area before his vehicle got caught in the waters
The flood has caused widespread devastation across central Texas, with dozens of confirmed deaths, many still missing, and over 60 rescues in Burnet County alone.
Authorities emphasize their commitment to finding him, but poor conditions continue to impede progress.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Phillips family and the entire Marble Falls community during this difficult time.
Source: Brotherhood of Fire
The vehicle was later recovered, severely damaged and crushed by debris but Chief Phillips has not been found .
As of July 7, 2025, he remains unaccounted for and is one of three people still missing in Burnet County.
Search efforts involving Texas National Guard, DPS, local fire departments, drones, helicopters, boats, and K‑9 teams are ongoing, though challenging conditions from continued flooding and damaged infrastructure are hampering them
Chief Phillips, who has served as volunteer fire chief since 1995 and previously worked as the maintenance director for Marble Falls ISD, was last seen heading toward the flash-flooded area before his vehicle got caught in the waters
The flood has caused widespread devastation across central Texas, with dozens of confirmed deaths, many still missing, and over 60 rescues in Burnet County alone.
Authorities emphasize their commitment to finding him, but poor conditions continue to impede progress.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Phillips family and the entire Marble Falls community during this difficult time.
Source: Brotherhood of Fire