Texas Flood Catastrophe: Death Toll Reaches 81, Dozens Missing as Search Intensifies

Texas Flood Catastrophe: Death Toll Reaches 81, Dozens Missing as Search Intensifies

Texas Flood Catastrophe: Death Toll Reaches 81, Dozens Missing as Search Intensifies

Texas Flood Catastrophe: Death Toll Reaches 81, Dozens Missing as Search Intensifies
Image from AP News

The devastating flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country over the weekend have claimed at least 81 lives, with rescue teams intensifying their search for 41 individuals still missing. The Guadalupe River, which rose dramatically to the height of a two-story building early Friday morning, has left a path of destruction, particularly in Kerr County, where 68 fatalities have been confirmed.

Among the missing are at least 10 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp in Kerr County. Sheriff Larry Leitha reported Sunday that the dead include 40 adults and 28 children, with many still unidentified. The tragic event saw approximately 750 children at Camp Mystic when the floods hit, leading to frantic rescue efforts and heartbreaking confirmations of young lives lost, including several identified campers.

The widespread impact extends beyond Kerr County, with confirmed deaths in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, and Williamson counties. Officials have conducted over 160 air rescues, saving hundreds, as search and rescue operations involving drones, helicopters, divers, and high-water vehicles continue around the clock across the affected areas.

In response to the escalating crisis, President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, following Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request. Governor Abbott, who visited Camp Mystic on Saturday, described the scene as “horrendously ravaged” and vowed that search operations would persist until every person is accounted for. President Trump indicated he plans to visit the state later this week.

The unprecedented speed of the floodwaters, with the Guadalupe River rising about 26 feet in just 45 minutes, caught many off guard. Local officials, including Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, stated that the area lacked a warning system and forecasters did not predict the extreme rainfall. As Texas grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on locating the missing and supporting the communities devastated by this natural disaster.

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