In the aftermath of the catastrophic floods in Texas, officials are grappling with a rising death toll and the search for numerous missing individuals.
At least 78 confirmed dead as Texas faces more storms after deadly floods
At least 78 confirmed dead as Texas faces more storms after deadly floods
Severe flooding in Texas has led to a devastating loss of life, with hopes of finding survivors diminishing as more rain is expected.
Authorities in central Texas are dealing with the aftermath of destructive flash floods that occurred on Friday, claiming at least 78 lives and leaving 41 people unaccounted for. The majority of the casualties, amounting to 68—including 28 children—took place in Kerr County, where a riverside Christian girls' camp, Camp Mystic, faced catastrophic flooding. Of the missing, ten girls and a camp counsellor have not yet been located.
Local emergency services foresee the death toll climbing as additional storms loom over the next couple of days, creating difficult circumstances for rescue teams who are contending with not only the flooding aftermath but also the presence of snakes in the debris. After three days of extensive rescue operations, the effort has transitioned towards recovery with a focus on identifying the victims.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his commitment on Sunday to spare no effort in the search for missing persons, emphasizing the trauma experienced by the affected children during this tragic event. "It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through," he stated after inspecting the area.
The chaos erupted just before dawn on Friday when the Guadalupe River surged by an astonishing 26 feet (8 meters) within 45 minutes, catching many campers unaware. Among the deceased were several young campers and the camp's director, Richard "Dick" Eastland. Greg Froelick, a former Navy Seal volunteering with a local rescue group, reported that victims have been located as far as eight miles downriver, with personal belongings from the camp scattered throughout the area.
As uncertainty looms over how many campers might have been present during the Fourth of July weekend, the devastation is evident along a two-lane highway connecting Kerrville to the camp, with homes damaged and public infrastructure down.
Federal support arrived as President Donald Trump declared a major disaster for Kerr County, enabling the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in the recovery efforts. Expressing his condolences, Trump remarked that it was a "horrible thing that took place," with a potential visit to the state planned soon.
Community members have shown tremendous support by organizing relief efforts: from delivering meals to locals in need, to collecting clothing for those displaced by the storm. Alma Garcia, visiting from San Antonio, was seen providing home-cooked meals along with supplies. Local resident Perla, moved by the disaster, began gathering clothes and shoes for those affected.
Global condolences have poured in as well, including special prayers from Pope Leo XIV for the victims, particularly the young girls lost in this tragic flooding incident.
