Texas Floods: Over 80 Dead, Including 28 Children, As Search For Missing Continues
The floods were triggered by an unprecedented downpour, reports indicate rainfall may have reached up to 15 inches in under an hour
Rescue teams in central Texas are racing to locate dozens still missing after flash floods swept through the region, claiming the lives of more than 80 people, including 28 children. Local authorities have warned that further rain could bring more devastation.
In Kerr County—the hardest-hit area—Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the deaths of 68 people, among them 28 children, all victims of the Saturday morning deluge. Nearby counties in south-central Texas reported at least 14 more fatalities. Across the state, 41 individuals are known to be missing, Governor Greg Abbott announced.
Teams deployed 17 helicopters and drones alongside ground crews in the search, focusing especially on Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp, which sheltered around 750 people, was struck when floodwaters surged overnight, sweeping away cabins and campers. Ten girls and a counsellor remain unaccounted for at the site.
Over 850 residents across the region have been rescued so far. Emergency services, including boats, helicopters, and drones, continue to patrol flooded rivers and debris-laden terrain, contending with searing heat, snakes, and unstable ground.
The floods were triggered by an unprecedented downpour, reports indicate rainfall may have reached up to 15 inches in under an hour. This caused the normally placid Guadalupe River to rise by as much as 26 feet in mere minutes, engulfing nearby towns.
Governor Abbott has called for a review of local warning systems and flood forecasting accuracy. Some residents have raised concerns about whether the event could have been anticipated more effectively.
When asked about reports that budget cuts had impacted the National Weather Service (NWS), Trump said he would not consider rehiring meteorologists. He also declined to confirm whether he would reverse plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), saying, 'FEMA is something we can talk about later."
Despite his previous stance that disaster response should be handled at the state level, Trump signed a major disaster declaration on Sunday, authorising federal assistance and activating FEMA to support rescue and relief operations in Texas.
(With inputs from AFP)
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