At least 78 people have been confirmed dead and 41 others are still missing following catastrophic flash floods that swept through central Texas on Friday, with more rain forecasted in the coming days.
The hardest-hit area is Kerr County, where 68 of the deaths occurred, including 28 children. A large number of the victims were at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp along the banks of the Guadalupe River. Ten girls and a camp counselor are still unaccounted for.
Officials warn the death toll is likely to rise as search-and-rescue teams continue combing through the devastated area. Their efforts are being complicated by thick mud, widespread debris, and the presence of venomous snakes. Additional storms expected within the next 24 to 48 hours may further hinder recovery operations.
The flooding struck before dawn on Friday, as the Guadalupe River rose an astonishing 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes—catching most campers and local residents in their sleep.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who toured the flood zone over the weekend, described the situation as “nothing short of horrific.”
“We will stop at nothing to find every missing person,” he pledged on Sunday.
The disaster prompted one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts in recent state history, which is now transitioning into a recovery mission. Many victims, including 18 adults and 10 children, have yet to be formally identified.
Among the deceased is Richard “Dick” Eastland, the long-serving director of Camp Mystic. Rescue teams have reported finding camp belongings scattered for miles along the river. Greg Froelick, a former Navy SEAL assisting with the rescue effort, said victims have been discovered as far as eight miles downstream.
“We’ve seen clothes, bedding, and personal items from the camp strewn all over,” Froelick told the BBC.
Authorities remain uncertain about the full number of people affected, especially with many families believed to be camping nearby for Fourth of July celebrations when the floods hit.
Along the two-lane highway connecting Kerrville to Camp Mystic, scenes of devastation stretch for miles—homes flattened, trees uprooted, power lines down, and furniture flung across properties.
President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, allowing federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He also announced he is likely to visit Texas on Friday.
“It’s a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible,” Trump said from New Jersey.
Amid the devastation, local residents and volunteers have stepped up in solidarity, delivering aid and offering shelter to those in need.
Alma Garcia drove from San Antonio with home-cooked meals for survivors and cleanup crews. The BBC witnessed her giving her own T-shirt to a flood survivor standing in soaked clothes.
“She was all wet, I told her she’s going to need it,” Garcia said.
Another local, Perla, began collecting clothing and shoes for displaced residents immediately after finishing her shift at Walmart. She delivered them to a local shelter the next morning.
“I’ve never seen something like this before,” she said.
Messages of sympathy and support have poured in from around the globe. In Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers during Sunday Mass for the victims of the Guadalupe River flood.
“I express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, particularly the young girls who were at summer camp,” the Pope said. “We pray for them.”
As rescue teams press on and communities rally together, Texas braces for the possibility of more rain—and more heartbreak—in the days ahead.
