
Over 50 Killed, Dozens Missing, Drone Video Shows Texas Flood Destruction
Multiple flash flood warnings remained in place across central Texas in the United States, after water surged through communities, with the Guadalupe River rising by 26 feet (eight meters) in just 45 minutes. Rescuers searched Saturday for 27 missing girls who were swept away by devastating floods in Central Texas, United States, as over 50 people died, with the likelihood of finding more survivors appearing to diminish.
The worst affected by torrential rains was Texas's Kerr County, where 43 people, including 15 children, died, followed by Travis County, where four people died. Two people also died in Burnet County, while another died in Tom Green County.
In Kerr County, the waterways gorged by thunderstorms tore through a Christian girls' camp--where hundreds were staying-- trapping families inside trailer homes and sweeping people into the currents. According to authorities, some two dozen campers remained unaccounted for, and there was "no cap" to the broader tally of the missing.
Rescuers Race Against Time
Authorities said the search operations were now a race against time, but they refused to relinquish hope of finding more survivors.
Texas Department of Emergency Management chief Nim Kidd said air, ground and water-based crews were scouring the length of the Guadalupe River for survivors and the bodies of the dead."We will continue the search until all those who are missing are found," he said.
Massive Losses
Videos from Texas posted on social media showed bare concrete platforms on lands where houses used to stand, with piles of rubble lining the banks of the river.
Flood Waters devastate the Guadalupe River area in Texas as emergency crews continue search and rescue operations. #TexasFlood #Texas pic.twitter.com/aXOWQDiOmZ
— Dr. Kiran J Patel (@Drkiranjpatel) July 6, 2025
Rescuers lifted people from rooftops and trees, sometimes forming human chains to fetch people from the floodwater, local media reported.
Capsized RVs drift in Texas fatal floods https://t.co/ohCPUb7uMD pic.twitter.com/o531TTCh94
— RT (@RT_com) July 6, 2025
Call For More Resources
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he was expanding a state disaster declaration and was requesting additional federal resources from President Donald Trump. The President has previously outlined plans to scale back the federal government's role in responding to natural disasters, leaving states to shoulder more of the burden themselves.
❗️UPDATE: 37 now DEAD in Texas floods — AP https://t.co/6byrF9m3MP pic.twitter.com/GxJOO5L7TR
— RT (@RT_com) July 5, 2025
But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Trump would honour that request.
President Donald Trump said he and his wife, Melania, were praying for the victims. "Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best," he said on social media.
Inaccurate Warning
The flooding began Friday -- the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend -- as months' worth of rain fell in a matter of hours.
Kristi Noem said a "moderate" flood watch issued on Thursday by the National Weather Service had not accurately predicted the extreme rainfall and said the Trump administration was working to upgrade the system.
Timelapse flooding of the Llano River on July 4th pic.twitter.com/59Tnn6NZG7
— Rob Dew (@DewsNewz) July 5, 2025
The administration has cut thousands of jobs from the National Weather Service's parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving many weather offices understaffed, said former NOAA director Rick Spinrad.
He said he did not know if those staff cuts factored into the lack of advance warning for the extreme Texas flooding, but said they would inevitably degrade the agency's ability to deliver accurate and timely forecasts.
"People's ability to prepare for these storms will be compromised. It undoubtedly means that additional lives will be lost and probably more property damage," he said.
More Rains Predicted
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of more rain in its forecast, saying that "excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations."
A helicopter passes in the distance after a deadly flood in Kerrville, Texas. Photo Credit: Reuters
In Kerrville on Saturday, the usually calm Guadalupe was flowing fast, its murky waters filled with debris.
"The water reached the top of the trees. About 10 meters or so," said resident Gerardo Martinez, 61. "Cars, whole houses were going down the river."
Flash floods, which occur when the ground is unable to absorb torrential rainfall, are not unusual. But scientists say that in recent years, human-driven climate change has made extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heatwaves more frequent and more intense.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Texas flood disaster: Did authorities issue any warning? All you need to know
Texas floods (Image credits :AP) Deadly flash floods have devastated parts of Texas, leaving at least 82 people dead and many still missing. Among those unaccounted for are 10 children and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp along the Guadalupe River. Rescue operations intensified on Sunday as emergency teams raced against time to locate survivors. The urgency is growing, with forecasters warning of further heavy rainfall that could trigger more flash flooding in the already ravaged region. As emergency efforts continue, here are some key questions and answers about the disaster and ongoing relief operations: Was there any warning? Yes, though the true scale of the flooding caught many by surprise, according to USA Today, state emergency management officials warned as early as July 2 that west and central Texas faced heavy rains and flash flood threats, citing National Weather Service forecasts ahead of the holiday weekend. By July 3, a flood watch was issued for eight counties, including Kerr, forecasting 1–3 inches of rain, with isolated spots possibly getting up to 7 inches. Still, there were no forecasts of catastrophic flooding. At 4.03 am on July 4, the NWS issued a flash flood emergency for south-central Kerr County, including the town of Hunt, calling it a 'particularly dangerous situation' and urging people to 'seek higher ground now.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Are rescue operations still underway? Emergency crews have been working tirelessly, navigating swollen rivers and debris-strewn terrain to locate and rescue those stranded. By Sunday, more than 850 people had been brought to safety, though many are still unaccounted for. Among the responders, US coast guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan stood out, saving 165 people during a single mission. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem assured federal support, with coast guard aircraft continuing operations after dark. How severe was the flooding? Is it over? On July 4, the Guadalupe River near Kerrville rose from under 2 feet to more than 34 feet in just over an hour — a dramatic and deadly surge. By Sunday, forecasters warned of additional rain and the risk of more flooding, with conditions likely to worsen. Which areas were worst affected? Several cities across central Texas, especially between San Antonio and Austin, were battered by the downpour over the Independence Day weekend. Rainfall totals in some locations included: Liberty Hill – 20.6 inches Lakeway – 13.5 inches Kerrville – 11.9 inches Leander – 10.5 inches Brady, TX and parts of San Antonio also experienced flooding. What's the death toll now? As of Sunday evening, at least 82 people have been confirmed dead. In Kerr County alone — the hardest-hit area, 40 adults and 28 children have been found, reported USA Today quoting sheriff Larry Leitha. How can one help? Multiple organizations are accepting donations and offering aid, such as Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, Kerr County Relief Fund and GoFundMe (hosting verified fundraisers for victims). Austin Pets Alive! has taken in over 50 displaced animals and is organizing a volunteer search group to find pets along the river. The group is also collecting donations to support pet recovery and cremation services for families that lost animals. The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Kerrville is accepting donations of nonperishable food, hygiene items, diapers, and other essentials. Updates are being shared regularly on the center's Instagram page.


Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Texas flash floods: What happened at a girls' summer camp where 11 are still missing
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Texas flooding flash flood Camp Mystic: What we know about the victims so far
Ghastly flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas has claimed at least 69 lives, with the toll expected to rise. A Christian all-girls' summer camp in Hunt, where 11 campers and one counsellor remain missing in Camp Mystic, per The New York Times. Trucks drive through a flooded and damaged road in Hunt, Texas, on July 6, 2025, following severe flash flooding that occured during the July 4 holiday weekend. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)(AFP) Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with volunteers even using horses to reach flooded areas inaccessible by vehicle. ALSO READ| Did the Ingram Dam on Guadalupe River fail? Here's what we know amid evacuation alert in Kerrville, Texas Here are some of the victims of Texas flooding Julian Ryan Julian Ryan, 27, slept in his trailer house in Ingram after a night job of working as a dishwasher when floodwaters started pouring in. He, his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, his mother and the two children looked on helplessly as the water rose very fast, and they tried to run away. He broke a window to create an exit but suffered a severe cut to his arm. 'He had lost so much blood and knew he wasn't going to make it,' Ms. Wilson told The Kerrville Daily Times. 'He said, 'I love you. I'm so sorry.' In minutes, he was gone.' Though the trailer was ripped apart by the water, the rest of the family survived. 'He was the best father... He died trying to save us,' she said. Blair and Brooke Harber Sisters Blair, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were swept away while staying with their grandparents in a cabin near the river. Their parents, who were in another cabin, survived. 'In moments like this, we are reminded of life's fragility and the lasting power of faith,' Rev. Joshua J. Whitfield of St. Rita Catholic Community wrote in a letter to pastor. 'We will honor Blair and Brooke's lives, the light they shared, and the joy they brought to everyone who knew them.' ALSO READ| Guadalupe River flood: New emergency alert in Hunt, Ingram and Kerrville - Here's what officials say Katheryn Eads Katheryn Eads, 52, and her husband tried to escape their RV as waters surged. However, a passing car took them, but it stalled, and they were washed away. Brian Eads managed to stay alive, hanging on a tree, and later confirmed his wife's death. Sarah Marsh Eight-year-old Sarah Marsh, a student from Alabama attending Camp Mystic, was among the young victims. 'This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school and our entire community,' said Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch per The Kerrville Daily Times. Janie Hunt Nine-year-old Janie Hunt of Dallas was also in Camp Mystic. Her cousins survived, but her parents were left to identify her body at a local funeral home, per The Kerrville Daily Times. Bobby and Amanda Martin The Martins, from Odessa, were camping by the river when their RV was swept away. Their grandchild and the grandchild's girlfriend are still missing. 'He's just incredible,' Bobby's father, John Keith Martin, told The New York Times. ALSO READ| Mebane, NC weather: Flash flooding reported, possible tornado on ground | Videos Jane Ragsdale Jane Ragsdale, co-owner and director of Heart O' the Hills camp, also lost her life. 'She embodied the spirit of Heart O' the Hills,' the camp website noted. Ragsdale had led the camp since 1988 after starting as a camper herself.