At least 78 people have died and dozens are still missing after flooding hit central and southern Texas. The main cause was the flash flooding of the Guadalupe River, which reached historic levels after heavy rains Friday afternoon. Kerr County, east of San Antonio, was the hardest hit, with 68 confirmed deaths, including 28 children.
County Sheriff Larry Leitha Jr. reported that search and rescue efforts continue. “We remain focused on locating the missing individuals,” he said in a public appearance. Local authorities are working with ground, air, and water personnel, supported by canine units. Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said the operation will extend along the entire length of the Guadalupe River, and assured that “they will not stop until they find everyone.”
In Travis County, four more deaths and at least thirteen missing were reported. Authorities also confirmed three deaths in Burnet, one in Kendall, and one in Tom Green. The victims include local residents and visitors who were in the area to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.
One of the main sources of concern is the Mystic Christian camp, located along the Guadalupe River, where 750 girls were housed. At least 11 minors, along with their counselors, remain unaccounted for. The camp's director, Dick Eastland, is among the dead.
Rescuers grappled with broken trees, overturned cars, and mud-filled debris in the difficult task of finding survivors. Families, meanwhile, were allowed to search around the campground Sunday morning, while nearby crews operated heavy equipment to pull tree trunks and tangled branches from the water as they searched along a riverbank. Thunder rumbled from a new storm surge.
Images from the scene show stranded vehicles, collapsed structures, and flooded cabins. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice reported that more than 850 people have been evacuated and moved to temporary shelters.
According to the National Weather Service, more than 300 millimeters of rain fell in just 12 hours, causing the river to suddenly rise. In the town of Hunt, the Guadalupe reached a height of 9.9 meters, the second highest recorded. The flooding, meteorologists explained, was more intense than expected."The predictions were wrong. The amount of rain was twice what was anticipated," Rice admitted.
The situation remains unstable. The NWS warned of further heavy rainfall, which could accumulate between 5 and 10 centimeters per hour in already saturated areas. Flood warnings remain in effect in at least 10 locations, and more than 100,000 people have been advised to move to higher ground. The weather service's social media channels repeated the call:"If you are near a potential floodwater, seek higher ground immediately."
In response to the emergency, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster and requested federal assistance. President Donald Trump expressed his support through the Truth Social network. “Texas will do everything possible to ensure all missing persons are found,” he wrote.
The head of state later announced the declaration of a “major disaster” in Kerr County, Texas: “I just signed the Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure our brave first responders immediately have the resources they need.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived at the affected area and assured that the federal government is “fully committed” to the rescue efforts. A total of 500 rescuers, 14 helicopters, the National Guard, and the Texas Coast Guard have been deployed.
Authorities are also facing health concerns stemming from gasoline and chemical contamination of the water. To prevent risks, the drinking water supply will be temporarily replaced with underground sources. The Kerr County Sheriff's Office has asked the public to avoid travel in the western part of the county, except for emergencies or residents.
Flooding is no stranger to this region. Last June, thirteen people died in San Antonio due to similar events. However, scientists and climate experts agree that climate change is worsening the frequency and intensity of these events. Extreme rainfall has become more common, and drainage and emergency systems in many localities are not prepared to respond quickly enough.
In Kerrville, affected families are waiting for news in community centers and temporary shelters. Some residents have begun organizing cleanup efforts, collecting debris and accumulated mud, although authorities insist conditions remain dangerous. Rice has asked those who wish to help to do so within their own communities and follow the instructions of emergency teams.
While rescue efforts continue, authorities announced they will provide further updates on Sunday. The priority, they insist, is to locate the missing and prevent further casualties, amid a situation that continues to evolve.
