The search for survivors continues in Central Texas as the death toll from catastrophic flooding climbs.
At least 119 people have been confirmed dead as of midday Wednesday. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reports that more than 170 individuals remain unaccounted for, with the majority missing in Kerr County. The evidence suggests this region, located in the flood-prone Texas Hill Country, bore the brunt of the disaster.
Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County stated in a news conference that 161 people are known to be missing in his jurisdiction alone. The significance of this number should not be overlooked, as it indicates the vast scale of the tragedy unfolding in this rural area.
Reports indicate that the Guadalupe River swelled rapidly to near-unprecedented levels during the weekend storm. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick provided context, noting that in the early hours of Friday morning, the river rose approximately 26 feet, roughly the height of a two-story building, in just 45 minutes near the town of Hunt.
The Guadalupe River runs for about 230 miles through a region between Austin and San Antonio, an area nicknamed “flash flood alley” due to its terrain’s vulnerability to sudden inundation. This raises important questions about flood preparedness and warning systems in the region.
President Trump has signed a federal disaster declaration at Governor Abbott’s request. This action allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deploy teams in support of local rescue and recovery efforts. The facts, as we now know them, suggest these operations face significant challenges due to ongoing storms, though National Weather Service forecasts indicate conditions may begin to improve.
One of the most tragic aspects of this disaster occurred at Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp in Kerr County. Reports indicate that at least 27 campers and counselors lost their lives in what survivors described as “catastrophic flooding.” Game Warden Ben Baker, speaking at a news conference, confirmed that search efforts continue for five missing campers and one counselor from the camp.
This development follows earlier reports that have raised questions about the adequacy of weather warnings and evacuation procedures. Some residents claim they did not receive emergency alerts, while officials point to multiple warnings issued by the National Weather Service. The significance of this debate should not be overlooked, as it may inform future disaster preparedness efforts.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
