Texas Flash Flood Crisis: Death Toll Climbs to 82, Search Continues for Missing Amid Warning Debate
Texas Flash Flood Crisis: Death Toll Climbs to 82, Search Continues for Missing Amid Warning Debate
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — The devastating flash floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend have claimed at least 82 lives, with dozens more still missing, including children from a summer camp. As of Monday, July 7, 2025, a massive search and rescue operation is underway along the Guadalupe River, particularly in Kerr County, where the hardest-hit areas are located.
The catastrophe, which saw the Guadalupe River rise an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes on Friday, July 4, has prompted urgent questions regarding preparedness and the timing of emergency alerts. Survivors describe a “pitch black wall of death,” with many reporting no prior warnings despite a National Weather Service alert issued hours before the worst of the flooding.
Governor Greg Abbott confirmed Sunday that 41 people remained unaccounted for statewide, with Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reporting 68 bodies found in his jurisdiction alone, including 28 children. Ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic are among those still missing, turning cherished memories into grief for many.
Local officials, including Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, have called it a “100-year-flood,” acknowledging the unprecedented nature of the event. However, public scrutiny is mounting over why residents and youth camps were not alerted sooner or advised to evacuate, with officials walking out of a news briefing when pressed on the delays.
The floods have left a trail of destruction, wiping out campgrounds and tearing homes from their foundations, signaling a monumental and long-term rebuilding effort. President Donald Trump is expected to visit the flood zone on Friday, as the state grapples with one of its largest rescue and recovery operations.
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