TEXAS: Deadly Floods Leave at Least 100 Dead, Dozens Still Missing After Search Intensified

At least 89 people have been confirmed dead and dozens remain missing after devastating flash floods swept through central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, with rescue teams continuing urgent search operations near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, a region west of San Antonio. 

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Among the victims are 27 children, most of them from a youth summer camp hit in the early hours of July 5.

The sudden flooding, described by local officials as a “100-year event,” came after more than a foot of rain fell overnight, overwhelming the dry terrain and riverbanks of the Texas Hill Country. 

The Associated Press reported that many families were caught off guard as the deluge arrived while most were asleep, turning calm campgrounds into disaster zones within minutes.

Officials told the local media that 10 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic are still unaccounted for, as search teams continue to navigate collapsed structures, debris, and mud along the river’s edge. 

Volunteers, many of whom were initially turned away by authorities, have launched independent search efforts in nearby Center Point, hacking through damaged brush in hopes of finding survivors.

Speaking at a news conference, Texas Senator Ted Cruz—who had picked up his own daughter from a nearby camp just a week earlier—called the disaster "every parent's nightmare" and urged unity and calm as efforts continue. 

“The pain of not knowing where your child is—it's unimaginable,” Cruz said.

The National Weather Service issued multiple alerts ahead of the disaster, including flash flood warnings and a rare flash flood emergency officials maintain but the Associated Press reports that questions have emerged over whether the warnings reached vulnerable areas, including youth camps, in time. 

Survivors described the disaster as a “black wall of water,” emphasizing the limited time to respond.

Contributing to the storm’s strength were multiple weather systems converging over the region—moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, and stalled jet stream winds created a perfect storm scenario. 

Experts noted that the warming atmosphere linked to climate change can hold more moisture, amplifying extreme weather events, though specific attribution to climate change in this instance remains under review.

In response to the disaster, Louisiana has deployed 14 rescue workers to assist Texas teams.

The Mexican consulate in San Antonio is also helping at least 30 Mexican nationals, many of whom lost documents or requested support to return home. 

Two Mexican girls have been praised by local media for helping fellow campers during the chaos.

President Donald Trump is expected to visit the flood-affected areas later this week, with the White House describing the tragedy as a “once-in-a-generation national disaster.” 

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt urged residents to stay alert and dismissed criticism over past federal cuts, saying, “The National Weather Service did its job.”

Community leaders have asked for donations to be directed to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is coordinating vetted relief efforts. 

The tragedy has renewed attention on early warning systems and emergency preparedness in flood-prone areas. Local officials revealed that plans for a more robust flood alert system—similar to tornado warnings—had previously been shelved due to cost concerns.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, and officials continue to hope for survivors. But with rising questions over climate resilience, emergency alerts, and infrastructure gaps, the impact of these floods is expected to shape Texas’s disaster planning for years to come.