The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Texas has risen to over 100, with dozens still missing as search and rescue teams continue efforts under worsening weather conditions.
The disaster struck early Friday morning, coinciding with Fourth of July celebrations, when torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to overflow in Kerr County.
Among the dead are at least 27 girls and staff from Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls’ summer camp. Ten campers and a counselor remain unaccounted for.
Camp Mystic confirmed the losses in a statement on Monday, expressing deep grief: “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.”
Richard Eastland, 70, the camp’s co-owner and director, died while attempting to save the children. Local pastor Del Way, a family friend, said Eastland “died a hero” and will be sorely missed by the community.
Kerr County officials reported that 84 of the known victims — 56 adults and 28 children — were local residents. Authorities have yet to identify 32 of the deceased.
Meanwhile, weather officials are warning of more slow-moving thunderstorms that could bring additional flash flooding to the already devastated region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple flood warnings before and during the event, and briefed local officials the day before the disaster.
Despite this, criticism has emerged over federal budget cuts at the NWS` parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Some have linked the cuts to delayed or reduced response efforts, though the White House firmly rejected such claims. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “That was an act of God… The National Weather Service did its job.”
President Trump, set to visit Texas later this week, dismissed criticism linking the disaster response to recent administrative decisions, calling the flood “a 100-year catastrophe.”
Calls for better early warning systems have intensified. A local petition now demands flood sirens in Kerr County—something debated for nearly a decade but never funded.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick admitted the lack of sirens may have cost lives and pledged to have a system in place by next summer.
Condolences continue to arrive from across the globe. Britain’s King Charles III sent a message to President Trump expressing his “profound sadness” and deepest sympathies to the victims’ families.
