At least 81 people have been confirmed dead and 41 remain missing following catastrophic flash floods that swept through central Texas on Friday, devastating communities and submerging a popular summer girls’ camp along the Guadalupe River.
The worst-hit area is Kerr County, where the rising river overwhelmed Camp Mystic before dawn, killing several young campers and the camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland. The river surged an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes as most of the children were still asleep.
Fatalities have also been reported in Travis, Burnet, Williamson, Kendall, and Tom Green counties. Rescue teams, braving dangerous debris and venomous snakes, continue to search for survivors in what has become one of the largest search-and-rescue operations in Texas history. Officials warn the death toll is likely to rise as more bodies are recovered and identified.
“Nothing short of horrific,” said Governor Greg Abbott, who toured the affected areas over the weekend. “We will stop at nothing to find every missing person.”
Camp Mystic is now the epicenter of the tragedy. Former Navy SEAL Greg Froelick, volunteering with the rescue group 300 Justice, described the scene to the BBC: “We’ve found camp clothing and dresser items up to eight miles downstream.”
The true number of victims remains uncertain, as many people had flocked to the region for the Fourth of July weekend. Homes along the Guadalupe River have been destroyed, roads are blocked by fallen trees, and utility lines lie tangled across yards. A two-lane highway connecting Kerrville to the camp is strewn with debris, damaged vehicles, and collapsed fences.
President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in Kerr County on Sunday, activating federal assistance through FEMA. He also announced plans to visit Texas on Friday. “It’s a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible,” he said from New Jersey.
Flood watches remain in effect until 7:00 p.m. Monday (01:00 GMT Tuesday), with more rain forecasted, potentially complicating ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Local residents have mobilized to help. Alma Garcia drove from San Antonio to deliver meals and clothing. “She was all wet, I told her she’s going to need it,” she said after giving a T-shirt to a flood survivor. Another resident, Perla, began collecting shoes and clothes after her shift at Walmart and delivered them to a local shelter.
Condolences have poured in from around the world. In Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims and their families, particularly the children lost at summer camp. “We pray for them,” he said during his Sunday address.
With many families still awaiting news of loved ones, Texas remains gripped by grief and determination in the face of one of the state’s deadliest natural disasters in recent memory.
Written By Rodney Mbua