At least 78 people have been confirmed dead in central Texas following severe flash floods, with search efforts ongoing for an additional 41 individuals still missing. The tragedy struck on Friday, particularly impacting Kerr County, where a riverside Christian camp suffered devastating losses. This includes the deaths of ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic; they are among the missing. Local officials anticipate the death toll could rise as more rain is forecast within the next couple of days, which complicates already challenging rescue operations.
Three days post-disaster, the focus of the search-and-rescue mission is transitioning into a recovery operation. In Kerr County, 18 adults and 10 children have yet to be identified among those recovered. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has reassured residents that efforts to locate the missing will continue unabated. "It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through," he expressed during a visit to the site.
The flooding event was catastrophic, with the Guadalupe River rising 26 feet in a mere 45 minutes while most campers slept. The camp's longtime director, Richard "Dick" Eastland, and several campers were among the fatalities. Greg Froelick, a volunteer helping search the area, shared that victims' belongings have been found over eight miles downstream, underscoring the disaster’s overwhelming impact.
The highway connecting Kerrville and Camp Mystic is an image of devastation, lined with wrecked homes, toppled trees, and scattered debris. President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster for Kerr County, enabling FEMA to aid recovery efforts. Residents take initiative, providing meals and clothing to support their neighbors during this dire time. Alma Garcia, who drove from San Antonio with homemade meals, and another local, Perla, have highlighted the community’s resilience in the wake of tragedy.
The floods have gained global attention, with Pope Leo XIV offering prayers for the victims and their families, highlighting the widespread sorrow elicited by this calamity. This natural disaster continues to affect lives deeply, with grief permeating through the community as search and recovery efforts persist.
