Flash floods in Texas killed at least 82 people over the Fourth of July weekend. Several, including summer camp girls, remain missing. The devastation near the Guadalupe River, outside San Antonio, triggered major rescue efforts and scrutiny over preparedness.
Texas Hill Country is naturally vulnerable to flash floods, as its dry, compact soil doesn’t absorb rain easily. Friday’s storm unleashed 12 inches (30 cm) of rain overnight, triggering deadly floods across the region before dawn.
After a flood watch was issued midday on Thursday, the National Weather Service released an urgent warning at 4 a.m., warning of catastrophic damage and life-threatening risk. By 5:20 a.m., Kerrville residents saw dangerously high water as the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet (8 metres) in just 45 minutes.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that 41 people had been confirmed missing across Texas, with the death toll expected to rise. Authorities continue search operations and the actual number of missing may be higher than reported.
In Kerr County, 68 bodies have been recovered, including 28 children, Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed. Fatalities from nearby counties raised the total to 79 by Sunday evening, making this one of the deadliest floods in Texas history.
Ten girls and a counsellor remain unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River. While 68 bodies have been recovered in Kerr County, the number of missing across other camps and regions is still unknown.
Officials are facing scrutiny for not alerting residents and summer camps before 4 a.m. Some argue frequent false alarms dull public response. A proposal for a stronger flood warning system was rejected earlier due to cost concerns.
Flash floods wiped out campgrounds and tore homes from their foundations. “It’s going to be a long time before we’re ever able to clean it up, much less rebuild it,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly on Saturday after surveying the destruction from a helicopter.
US President Donald Trump said he would likely visit the Texas flood zone on 11 July. The scale of devastation has drawn national attention, as officials prepare for a long-term recovery effort across affected communities.
