At least 95 dead and dozens missing in Texas floods as more rain looms
At least 95 people have been confirmed dead and 41 others remain missing after catastrophic flash floods swept through central Texas on Friday.
The worst-hit area is Kerr County, where a popular riverside Christian girls’ camp, Camp Mystic, was inundated before dawn. Several young campers and the camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, are among the dead, while others remain unaccounted for.
Flood-related deaths have also been reported in Travis, Burnet, Williamson, Kendall, and Tom Green counties. Officials say the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue their search efforts.
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 metres) within just 45 minutes, overwhelming the camp as most children slept. Former Navy Seal Greg Froelick, now a volunteer rescuer with 300 Justice, told the BBC that victims have been found up to eight miles downriver, with camp belongings scattered along the banks.
“It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who toured the devastated area over the weekend. He vowed that authorities would “stop at nothing” to find all missing persons.
Three days after the disaster, rescue operations are shifting towards recovery, complicated by continued severe weather warnings and the presence of venomous snakes amid mud and debris.
President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, activating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) support. Speaking from New Jersey, he called the floods “absolutely horrible” and indicated he would likely visit Texas on Friday.
Local residents have mobilised to assist survivors. Alma Garcia drove in from San Antonio to distribute home-cooked meals to affected families and volunteers, while Perla, a Walmart worker, collected clothes and shoes to donate to shelters after finishing her shift on Friday.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV offered special prayers during Sunday Mass in Rome for the victims of the disaster. “We pray for all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were in summer camp,” he said.
Flood watches remain in effect for many central Texas areas until Monday evening, with further rainfall expected, potentially hampering ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
