Flash floods in central Texas on Friday have resulted in the tragic confirmation of at least 81 fatalities, with an additional 41 individuals reported missing.
In Kerr County, a tragic incident unfolded as a riverside Christian girls’ camp was overwhelmed by floodwaters, resulting in multiple fatalities among children and leaving several others unaccounted for.
Deaths have also been recorded in several other regions, including Travis County, Burnet County, Williamson County, Kendall County, and Tom Green County.
As the search for the missing persists, the numbers are fluctuating rapidly, with officials indicating that the death toll is expected to increase further. A significant number of the bodies remain informally identified.
Numerous regions remain under a flood watch until 19:00 local time on Monday (01:00 GMT on Tuesday), with additional rainfall expected.
The anticipated persistence of severe weather may hinder rescue teams, who are already contending with venomous snakes while navigating through mud and debris.
Three days following the flooding, one of the most extensive search-and-rescue operations in recent Texas history was transitioning into a recovery phase.
On Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared that authorities would “stop at nothing” in their efforts to locate every missing individual.
“The experiences endured by those young children were nothing short of horrific,” remarked Abbott, following his tour of the area the previous day.
The search efforts have prominently centred on Camp Mystic, a well-known summer camp for girls located along the banks of the Guadalupe River, which has experienced considerable damage.
In a shocking turn of events, a disaster struck early Friday morning as the river surged by 26 feet (8 meters) in a mere 45 minutes, catching many campers off guard while they slept.
Among the deceased are several young campers and the camp’s long-time director, Richard “Dick” Eastland.
Greg Froelick, a former Navy SEAL, is actively contributing to the search for survivors as a volunteer with the rescue organisation, 300 Justice.
In an interview with the media, he reported that victims had been discovered as far as eight miles downriver from the former site of Camp Mystic.
He reported observing “clothing and items from the camp dressers scattered everywhere, up and down the river.”
Questions remain regarding the number of individuals who were camping in the vicinity during the Fourth of July weekend, as well as the potential impact of the floods on their safety.
The two-lane highway, which runs alongside the Guadalupe River and links the city of Kerrville to Camp Mystic, now bears the marks of significant destruction.
Homes lie in ruins, encircled by toppled trees and debris strewn across the lawns. In several areas, fences have been knocked down, and utility lines are reportedly down.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump issued a significant disaster declaration for Kerr County, which in turn activated the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s support for the state of Texas. He indicated that a visit to the state is likely on Friday.
“We are collaborating closely with officials from Texas, and what occurred is truly horrific, absolutely horrific,” Trump stated on Sunday while in New Jersey.
In the wake of the storm, community members are mobilising to support relief efforts. They are gathering supplies, providing shelter, and extending a helping hand to neighbours who have been displaced.
Alma Garcia made the journey from San Antonio to provide home-cooked meals to both residents and volunteers engaged in the clean-up effort.
According to reports from the media, she was observed stopping her vehicle on the roadside to remove a top layer of her T-shirt, which she then handed over to a resident.
“She was completely soaked, and I advised her that she would require it,” Ms. Garcia stated to the media.
After completing her shift at Walmart on Friday, resident Perla began gathering clothes and shoes. The following morning, she delivered them to a shelter.
“I’ve never encountered anything like this before,” she remarked to the media.
In the meantime, messages of support and goodwill have been received from across the globe.
Pope Leo XIV held a special prayer service on Sunday in Rome, dedicating his thoughts to those mourning in Texas.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families mourning the loss of their loved ones, especially the daughters who were attending summer camp, following the tragic flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas,” the pontiff stated.
“We extend our prayers for them.”
