At least 81 people have lost their lives in massive flash floods that swept through Central Texas, with 41 individuals still unaccounted for. The disaster struck early Friday, hitting the Texas Hill Country and causing the Guadalupe River to rise swiftly—reaching the height of a two-story building. Search and rescue teams continue working around the clock.
Kerr County has suffered the most damage, with 68 of the 81 confirmed deaths occurring there. Among the deceased are 40 adults and 28 children. Authorities say 18 adults and 10 children remain unidentified. Rescue teams have been operating across riverside areas and summer camps impacted by the floodwaters.
One of the worst-hit locations is Camp Mystic, a children’s summer camp in Kerr County. Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 10 campers and one counselor are still missing. Initially, officials feared up to 27 might be missing. Around 750 children were at the camp when the floods began.
President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday. Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited the flooded camp and called the damage “unlike anything” he had seen before. He said rescue efforts would not stop until every missing child was found.
Governor Abbott emphasized that the number of people missing might be higher than reported. Many visitors were camping near the river or staying in RVs, and officials may not yet know who is missing. He urged the public to report any missing loved ones to local authorities.
Search efforts are focused along the Guadalupe River, and more than 160 air rescues have already been carried out. As of Saturday, 850 people had been rescued, including eight who were injured. The U.S. Coast Guard was responsible for saving 223 of them, many through dramatic helicopter rescues.
President Trump announced plans to visit Texas on Friday, stating he had wanted to come earlier but did not want to disrupt rescue operations. He expressed his condolences and praised the first responders working in the area.
Pope Leo also extended prayers to the victims during a Sunday mass at the Vatican, especially for the families of the children who died at the summer camp.
While Kerr County is the epicenter of the disaster, the flash floods have claimed lives across several other Texas counties. In Travis County, home to Austin, six deaths have been confirmed. In Burnet County, three people died, and two others remain missing—a teenage girl and the local fire chief. Emergency crews in the area have conducted over 50 rescues.
Kendall County reported two deaths, and Williamson County confirmed one. A 62-year-old woman named Tanya Burwick died in Tom Green County when her car was overtaken by floodwaters, local police said.
Texas officials are working closely with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, to manage rescue and recovery efforts. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the joint rescue work, noting that hundreds of people had been saved under challenging conditions.
Emergency workers continue providing food and water to those still sheltering in place. Some areas remain inaccessible due to strong currents or debris.
An updated federal disaster declaration now includes several more counties affected by the storms. Local leaders have also shared personal stories of loss. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said his own property was destroyed, and he had visited a funeral home filled with body bags before taking a helicopter tour of the area.
“We knew the river could rise, but nobody saw this coming,” Kelly said. He added that the road to recovery will be long and difficult.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick explained that the Guadalupe River rose about 26 feet in just 45 minutes early Friday morning, even though there had been no rainfall beforehand. Alerts were sent out between 4 and 5 a.m., but the floodwaters arrived too quickly for many to escape.
President Trump said his administration is providing support to state and local agencies. “Melania and I are praying for all the families impacted by this horrible tragedy,” he posted on social media. “God bless the families, and God bless Texas.”
