Texas Floods Claim 43 Lives; Search Continues for Missing Individuals

HUNT, Texas - Flash floods in central Texas have resulted in the confirmed deaths of at least 43 individuals, including 15 children, as of Saturday, July 5. Meanwhile, rescue operations are actively underway to locate dozens of others, including campers and local residents, who remain unaccounted for following the devastating weather event.

The toll may increase as the flooding has impacted areas beyond the immediate vicinity of Kerr County, the primary site of the disaster. Reports indicate that four fatalities have been recorded in Travis County, with 13 people still missing, alongside an additional death reported in Kendall County. Some media outlets have suggested that the death toll could be as high as 52, although this information has not been officially verified.

Authorities confirmed that over 850 individuals have been rescued from perilous situations, including those stranded in trees after a sudden storm unleashed up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in the region surrounding the Guadalupe River, situated approximately 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio. Among the missing individuals are 27 girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp, as stated by Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice in a recent press briefing.

Rice noted that while 27 people are confirmed missing, the total number could be higher, as the full scope of the situation remains uncertain. The catastrophic events unfolded rapidly on Friday morning when unexpected heavy rainfall caused river levels to surge up to 29 feet (9 meters).

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly emphasized the unpredictable nature of the flooding, stating that while authorities are aware that river levels can rise, the severity of this event was unforeseen. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that 17 of the confirmed deceased, including five children, have yet to be identified.

The National Weather Service has indicated that the flash flood emergency for Kerr County has largely subsided, following thunderstorms that delivered over a foot of rain, which is equivalent to half of the region's usual annual precipitation. A flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. for the surrounding areas.

Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country, is characterized by its rural landscape, historic communities, and tourist attractions. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick revealed that an indeterminate number of visitors had flocked to the area for Independence Day celebrations along the river. He remarked on the uncertainty surrounding the number of individuals who may have been camping in tents or small trailers along the riverbank.

At the time of the flood, Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp, had approximately 700 girls in attendance. In the aftermath of the flood, the camp's facilities displayed clear signs of devastation, with mud lines indicating that water levels had risen at least six feet within cabins. Furniture and personal belongings were found scattered and covered in mud, with some buildings sustaining significant structural damage.

Another local camp, Heart O' the Hills, reported the tragic loss of co-owner Jane Ragsdale due to the flood, although no campers were present at the time as the camp was between sessions.

In the town of Comfort, located around 40 miles downstream from Camp Mystic, large trees were uprooted and strewn about by the floodwaters, obstructing roads and causing extensive damage. While the main highway from San Antonio to the affected areas remained mostly intact, several two-lane bridges suffered severe damage from the flooding.

Images captured by reporters revealed abandoned vehicles, some with shattered windows and doors, that had been carried away by the floodwaters and now lay discarded near the riverside. Local residents expressed their shock and disbelief at the destruction, with many fearing for the safety of those still missing and hoping for their safe return.

In response to the crisis, President Donald Trump expressed his condolences via social media, stating that he and First Lady Melania were praying for the victims and commending first responders for their efforts. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that he had requested a disaster declaration from Trump, which would facilitate federal assistance for those impacted by the flooding. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Trump would grant this request.

The Trump administration has previously indicated plans to reduce the federal government's role in disaster response, shifting more responsibility to state authorities. Following the flooding, Noem acknowledged that the National Weather Service's earlier flood watch had failed to predict the extreme rainfall accurately, suggesting that improvements to forecasting systems are necessary.

Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad noted that staffing reductions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could hinder the agency's capacity to deliver timely and accurate forecasts, potentially leading to increased risks for communities in the face of such natural disasters.