Melania Trump Offers Condolences to Families of Texas Flood Victims, Pledges Continued Support
US First Lady Melania Trump offered heartfelt condolences to families who lost loved ones in Central Texas, especially those grieving the deaths of young children at Camp Mystic.
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| Image Source: FirstLadyOffice |
The visit came after catastrophic flooding swept through the Texas Hill Country between July 4 and July 7, claiming at least 121 lives and leaving more than 160 people missing.
According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management and federal agencies, a rapid surge in the Guadalupe River—rising more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes—submerged communities and overwhelmed early warning systems.
Melania Trump, in her address, shared how she prayed with grieving families and received a handmade bracelet from young girls in remembrance of victims at Camp Mystic, where 27 girls were initially reported missing.
As of July 9, five girls and one counselor remained unaccounted for, and the camp’s director, Dick Eastland, had been confirmed deceased.
“This is a moment of profound national sorrow,” she said, promising families that she would return to the region and continue to offer support.
The flood’s toll on children has been especially tragic. The camp was struck with little advance warning, and local officials confirmed that Kerr County lacked an automated flood alert system, unlike neighboring communities such as Comfort in Kendall County, which reported no fatalities due to a $60,000 early-warning system.
These disparities in preparedness have prompted calls for legislative review, though the First Lady’s focus remained on healing and solidarity rather than policy critique.
The First Lady’s presence in Texas accompanied FEMA’s formal launch of a Disaster Recovery Center in Kerrville on July 10 and the activation of multi-agency rescue efforts supported by NASA aircraft, Coast Guard teams, and National Guard units from across the U.S. and Mexico.
California, North Dakota, Arkansas, and Louisiana also deployed specialized rescue units.
Her message has drawn praise for its compassionate tone amid a deeply polarized political climate. “Our Nation is grieving with you,” she said in closing. As federal disaster declarations are implemented and long-term recovery begins, her remarks serve as a reminder of the human cost behind every weather statistic.