At least 81 people have died in Texas due to a devastating flash flood, and with dozens still missing, the death toll is expected to climb. The flood, which struck central Texas early Friday morning, triggered large-scale rescue operations across several counties.
Authorities say 41 individuals remain unaccounted for, and among them are ten young girls who were staying at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Kerr County. Located near the banks of the Guadalupe River, the camp was hit especially hard; 28 children from the camp are confirmed dead, and the camp counsellor is also missing.
The sudden surge of floodwaters suddenly stuck the campers. The Guadalupe River reportedly rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sweeping through the riverside area while many campers were still asleep. Kerr County alone accounts for 68 of the total fatalities, making it the hardest-hit location in this disaster.
Now days later, authorities fear the worst has happened to those who remain missing. Search and rescue efforts have been replaced with recovery operations, signalling the grim expectation that more bodies may still be found.
Governor Greg Abbott, calling the situation “horrific,” pledged to exhaust all resources to locate the missing. Efforts to locate those missing are further complicated by ongoing storms and dangerous conditions, including venomous snakes among the flood debris. The scale of the disaster prompted President Donald Trump to authorise federal aid, making it one of Texas’s largest rescue operations.
Trump also declared Kerr County a major disaster area and shared that he would be visiting the affected area later in the week. Another significant public figure, Pope Leo XIV, joined the chorus of support, issuing a heartfelt message for the victims and specifically mentioning the families affected at Camp Mystic.
Additionally, communities throughout the state have come together, donating supplies, volunteering at shelters, and offering prayers.
