At least 81 people lost their lives, and 41 are still missing after devastating flash floods swept through central Texas on Friday, with more rain forecast in the coming days. The disaster struck multiple countries, hitting Kerr County the hardest, where 68 lives were lost, including 28 children. Many of the victims were at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls situated along the Guadalupe River.
Ten campers and a counsellor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for. Authorities also confirmed casualties in other areas: five in Travis County, three in Burnet County, two each in Williamson and Kendall Counties, and one in Tom Green County. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.
In Kerr County alone, 18 adults and 10 children who were recovered have yet to be formally identified. Rescuers are facing conditions, including mud, debris, and venomous snakes, which could worsen with the additional storms expected within 24 to 48 hours.
"It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott, following a visit to the flood-ravaged areas. The river reportedly surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes while many campers were still asleep, turning Camp Mystic into a scene of destruction. Among the dead are several young campers and the camp's longtime director, Richard "Dick" Eastland.
Now, three days after the flood, the massive search-and-rescue mission is shifting toward recovery. Governor Abbott pledged on Sunday that authorities would "stop at nothing" to find every missing person. Volunteers, including former Navy SEAL Greg Froelick from the rescue group 300 Justice, have joined the search.
Froelick told the BBC that victims have been found up to eight miles downstream from the camp and described seeing “clothing and items from the camp dressers scattered everywhere, up and down the river.” Uncertainty remains about how many others may have been camping in the area for the Fourth of July weekend and could have been caught in the floods.
A two-lane highway near the Guadalupe River, connecting Kerrville to Camp Mystic, now lies in ruin. Homes are flattened, trees uprooted, furniture strewn across properties, and power lines brought down.
President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration on Sunday for Kerr County, enabling federal aid via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He said he may visit Texas on Friday, adding: "We're working very closely with representatives from Texas, and it's a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible."
In the midst of the tragedy, community members are stepping up. Locals are donating supplies, offering shelter, and helping with cleanup. Alma Garcia drove from San Antonio to hand out home-cooked meals to displaced residents and volunteers. The BBC observed her giving away her own T-shirt to a woman who was soaked. "She was all wet, I told her she's going to need it," Garcia said.
Another resident, Perla, began collecting clothes and shoes immediately after finishing her shift at Walmart. She delivered them to a local shelter the next day."I've never seen something like this before," she said.
Messages of support have poured in globally. From Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers during Sunday mass, saying, "I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were in summer camp, in the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas in the United States. We pray for them."
