FLASH floods in Texas killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend and left an unknown number of others still missing, and victims include girls attending a summer camp.
The Associated Press reported today that the devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions.
Volunteers and workers have come from all over to help: Jesús Gomez, who is part of a crew of firefighters from the Mexican border town of Acuña, said the search for flood victims was difficult and mostly being done by hand.
Officials in Florida and Louisiana have sent rescue teams to assist first responders in Texas, and private citizens from across the state have joined search efforts as well.
Death toll expected to rise
Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that 41 people were unaccounted for across the state and more could be missing. Camp Mystic says it is “grieving the loss” of 27 campers and counselors as the search continues.
More flooding is possible
Friday’s intense downpour was the equivalent of a months’ worth of rain for the area. With more rain on the way Monday, the risk of more flooding was still high in saturated parts of central Texas.
Officials face scrutiny over flash flood warning: Local officials have insisted that no one saw the flood potential coming, though the National Weather Service sent out a series of flash flood warnings in the early hours Friday before issuing flash flood emergencies — a rare alert notifying of imminent danger.
In hard-hit Kerr County, home to Camp Mystic and several other summer camps, searchers have found the bodies of 84 people, including 28 children, according to Kerr County officials.
The death toll is now at least 104 deaths across central Texas. - July 8, 2025
