Devastating Texas Floods Claim Over 80 Lives, Including 27 Campers; Search Continues

Rescue teams in Texas searched through the debris on Monday after flash floods swept away dozens of people, killing more than 80, including 27 girls and camp counselors.

The disaster struck during the July Fourth holiday, leaving the nation shocked. Weather forecasters warned that storms could cause more flooding in the already soaked ground.

“Camp Mystic is mourning the loss of 27 campers and staff members after the severe flooding,” the camp said in a statement. “Our hearts break for the families who are facing this unimaginable loss.”

President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of visiting Texas later this week but dismissed concerns that cuts to weather services and emergency agencies had weakened flood warnings. Instead, he called the early Friday floods a “100-year catastrophe” that “no one expected.”

In Kerr County, the hardest-hit area in central Texas, Sheriff Larry Leitha said at least 40 adults and 28 children had died by Sunday. Nearby regions also reported at least 13 deaths. Officials expect the death count to grow.

Search efforts have been intense and somber. About 20 helicopters are involved in finding missing people in areas popular with campers and summer programs. The camp most affected, Camp Mystic, was an all-girl Christian camp where roughly 750 people were staying when floods hit.

The Guadalupe River, swollen with rain, rose to the height of trees and cabins’ roofs. Campers watched helplessly as water overtook their sleeping areas. Mud soaked blankets, stuffed animals, and belongings. Windows in the cabins shattered under the force of rushing water.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that heavy rain could cause more flooding in Kerrville and nearby towns. Residents are told to stay away from still-raging rivers. Several hours of heavy rain fell from Thursday night into Friday, with continued showers since then. The river surged around 26 feet—more than a two-story building—in just 45 minutes.

Flash floods are common in this part of Texas, known locally as “Flash Flood Alley.” Slow-draining ground makes the area prone to sudden, dangerous floods after heavy rain. Climate change has made these events worse, causing more frequent and intense storms, droughts, and heatwaves.

Governor Abbott said debris from the floods blocks roads and makes recovery work harder. People from across Texas came to Kerr County to help find missing persons. Some residents used personal drones to search, but authorities urged them to stop because of the danger to rescue planes.

AFP