More than 100 people have been confirmed dead following catastrophic flooding that devastated parts of Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, authorities said Monday, as rescue teams continue to comb through wreckage along the rain-swollen Guadalupe River.
The flash floods, described as one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Texas history, struck in the early hours of Friday after relentless rain overwhelmed the region.
At least 104 flood-related deaths have been reported, with Kerr County accounting for the highest toll, 84 lives lost, including 28 children, according to the local sheriff’s office.
Among the dead were 27 girls and counselors staying at Camp Mystic, a well-known all-girls Christian summer camp housing around 750 people when the river surged.
DAILY POST earlier reported that the tragedy unfolded as most of the campers were asleep. Windows of cabins were smashed, rooftops submerged, and children’s belongings like blankets and teddy bears were later found caked in thick mud.
“There is still a threat of heavy rain with the potential to cause flooding,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement Monday, warning that the toll could rise. Recovery efforts remain difficult due to saturated terrain and continued rainfall. Helicopters, boats, dogs, and more than 1,700 personnel have been deployed to aid the search.
President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Texas on Friday and dismissed criticism that recent cuts to federal weather services hampered emergency response.
“Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning,” White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
She added that the National Weather Service “issued timely and precise forecasts and warnings,” pushing back against reports, including one by The New York Times, that several key agency positions in Texas were unfilled before the disaster.
Trump, who previously expressed skepticism about federal disaster relief, signed a major disaster declaration to unlock emergency funds and federal resources. He called the event a “100-year catastrophe” that “nobody expected.”
However, many Texans are struggling with questions about the state’s preparedness. The region, often referred to as “Flash Flood Alley” due to frequent and severe floods, was left with limited alert systems as the Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet (eight meters), the height of a two-story building, in just 45 minutes.
Some residents say lives could have been saved with better warning infrastructure. Nicole Wilson, a San Antonio mother who nearly sent her daughters to Camp Mystic, launched a petition urging the state to modernize its alert systems.
“Five minutes of that siren going off could have saved every single one of those children,” she told reporters.
At a candlelight vigil in San Antonio Monday night, emotions ran high as mourners prayed and shared their fears.
“I was pretty shocked at the gravity of the situation and how big it was,” said Rebeca Gutierrez, 29. “Hopefully there’s preventative efforts happening in similar areas to make sure nothing to this degree happens.”
Louis Deppe, 62, was among the volunteers combing through debris along the riverbanks. “We’re helping the parents of two of the missing children,” he said. “The last message they got was ‘We’re being washed away,’ and the phone went dead.”
Experts say human-induced climate change is contributing to the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events.
Central Texas saw months’ worth of rain within hours, causing rivers to swell with deadly force.
