Catastrophic Texas Floods: Death Toll Rises to 82, Dozens Missing in Kerr County and Camp Mystic

Hardest-Hit Areas and Rising Death Toll

The worst flooding struck Kerr County in the Texas Hill Country, where at least 68 people have died, including 28 children. The Guadalupe River surged an astonishing 26 feet in less than an hour early Friday morning, catching many holiday visitors and campers by surprise.

“Texas is grieving right now. The pain, the shock of what has transpired these last few days has broken the heart of our state,” said Senator Ted Cruz during a Monday press conference. The death toll continues to climb as search and rescue operations progress.

Beyond Kerr County, the flooding has claimed lives across central Texas:

Camp Mystic Tragedy

Damaged buildings at Camp Mystic where at least 27 children and counselors lost their lives in the catastrophic flooding.

The tragedy at Camp Mystic, a beloved all-girls summer camp in Hunt, has particularly shaken the community. At least 27 children and counselors from the camp are among the dead, with 10 girls and one counselor still missing as of Monday afternoon.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that search operations continue for the missing campers. “We are using every resource available to locate these children,” he stated during a Monday press conference.

There were approximately 700 children at the camp when the Guadalupe River surged. Photos from the scene show buildings with broken windows and blown-out walls, with mud-covered debris including pink blankets and stuffed animals scattered throughout the area.

Environmental Factors and Infrastructure Damage

Severe infrastructure damage to roads and bridges in the Texas Hill Country.

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The catastrophic flooding has devastated infrastructure throughout central Texas. Numerous roads and bridges have been washed away, particularly in Kerr County and surrounding areas. The Texas Department of Transportation reports over 30 major road closures across the affected region.

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, with preliminary estimates suggesting property damage could exceed $500 million. Power outages continue to affect thousands of residents, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Flash Flood Alley

The catastrophic flooding took place in a region known as “flash flood alley,” an area of central Texas that includes many major metropolitan areas such as San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Waco. This region is among the nation’s most prone to flash flooding.

Alan Gerard, CEO of weather consulting company Balanced Weather, explained that the area is known for its propensity for fast and furious flooding when extreme rain falls. As moist air from the Gulf moves over the steep hills of the region, it can dump heavy rain in short periods.

Roger Pielke, Jr., a political scientist who has written about disaster preparedness and climate change, noted that while the flooding was extreme, it wasn’t historically unexpected. “The documented record of extreme flooding in ‘flash flood alley’ goes back several centuries,” he stated.

Human Stories: Survival and Heroism

Rescue workers have saved over 850 people since the catastrophic flooding began.

Amid the tragedy, stories of survival and heroism have emerged. Matthew Crowder, who was working at Texas Paintball around 4 a.m. on July 5, noticed rising floodwaters encircling a nearby home. He called 911 and began screaming to alert the residents.

Inside the home, Chrissy Eliashar was awakened by her son and quickly gathered her three children, a family friend, and four dogs. As they watched their car float away, Crowder, who was clinging to a nearby chain-link fence, yelled for the family to make their way to him.

Authorities have rescued over 850 people since the devastating flooding began last week, according to Senator Cruz. However, many families are still searching for missing loved ones.

Xavier Ramirez’s family had been at a campground when the waters began to rise quickly. Five of his family members remain missing as search efforts continue. “We’re still hoping for a miracle,” Ramirez told local reporters.

Government Response and Aid Efforts

President Donald Trump signing the major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas.

President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, unlocking federal funding for first responders and offering FEMA assistance to victims of the flash floods. The president described the situation as a “100-year catastrophe” and announced plans to visit the affected areas “probably on Friday.”

“We wanted to leave a little time. I would’ve done it today, but we’d just be in their way,” Trump told reporters on Sunday when asked about visiting the state.

The disaster declaration enables affected residents to apply for federal assistance, including temporary housing grants, home repair funds, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

Local and state agencies have mobilized significant resources for search and rescue operations. The Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and National Guard units are all participating in recovery efforts.

Col. Freeman Martin of the Texas Department of Public Safety noted that authorities are using rapid DNA technology to identify victims. “We will have answers with rapid DNA in hours – not days – to get some closure and information back to these families,” Martin said.

Ongoing Weather Concerns

Weather radar showing additional rainfall over flood-affected areas of central Texas.

As rescue and recovery efforts continue, forecasters warn that the danger is not over. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch through Monday evening as downpours were expected throughout the day, including in hard-hit parts of the state.

Widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were expected, with some areas potentially receiving up to 10 inches of rain. Multiple flash flood warnings have been issued across central Texas counties, including Burnet, Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas.

The National Weather Service noted that “multiple roads are becoming impassable due to flood waters, and there have been several reports of vehicles stranded on flooded roadways.” Residents in affected areas are urged to stay vigilant and monitor local weather alerts.

How to Help Flood Victims

Volunteers distributing essential supplies to those affected by the catastrophic flooding.

In the wake of the devastating floods, numerous organizations are accepting donations to help victims and assist in recovery efforts. These funds provide immediate relief such as food, water, shelter, and medical care to those affected.

GoFundMe has also created a centralized hub for verified fundraisers connected to flood victims and their families. These campaigns provide direct support to those who have lost loved ones or homes in the catastrophic flooding.

Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Dawn breaks over the flood-ravaged Texas Hill Country as recovery efforts continue.

As central Texas begins the long process of recovery from these catastrophic floods, the focus remains on finding those still missing and supporting the communities that have lost so much. The road to recovery will be long, but the resilience of Texans is already evident in the outpouring of support from across the state and nation.

Officials urge residents to remain vigilant as weather conditions continue to pose risks. Those in affected areas should monitor local news and weather alerts, avoid flooded roadways, and follow evacuation orders if issued.

For those seeking information about missing loved ones or needing assistance, the Kerr County Emergency Operations Center can be reached at 830-315-1060. Additional resources and updates are available through local emergency management offices and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website.