The number of lives lost in the devastating floods sweeping across Texas has climbed to at least 67, with children making up nearly a third of the fatalities. The central Texas region, particularly Kerr County in the Hill Country, has borne the brunt of the disaster, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha, who confirmed 59 deaths in his county, including 21 minors.
Among the missing are 11 young girls and a camp counselor who vanished after intense rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to overflow near a summer camp. The flooding began on Friday during U.S. Independence Day celebrations and has since triggered a large-scale rescue and recovery operation.
Officials from neighboring counties reported additional casualties. Travis County confirmed four deaths and 13 individuals still missing. Another death was recorded in Kendall County, while Burnet County reported two more. In San Angelo, Tom Green County, one woman drowned in her vehicle, police said.
Leitha noted that 22 victims in Kerr County—18 adults and 4 children—have not yet been identified, but did not clarify whether these individuals were among the 59 confirmed dead.
More than 850 people have been rescued so far, some found clinging to trees. Authorities are still determining the number of people unaccounted for. The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings across central Texas, with continued rain posing a challenge to ongoing rescue efforts.
President Donald Trump issued a federal disaster declaration, prompting FEMA to deploy emergency resources. The U.S. Coast Guard has joined search operations using helicopters and planes.
Critics point to staffing reductions at the National Weather Service under the Trump administration as a possible factor in the lack of early warnings. Former NOAA head Rick Spinrad warned that budget cuts have strained forecasting capabilities, though it remains unclear if they contributed directly to this disaster.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the administration, stating that forecast models underestimated the rainfall’s severity. Congressman Joaquin Castro warned that insufficient staff in weather services could have dire consequences.
One of the hardest-hit sites was Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls with roughly 700 attendees. A counselor described scenes of fear and chaos as cabins lost power and flooded overnight. Military vehicles were used to safely evacuate some campers.
The campgrounds showed scenes of complete destruction the following day, with debris-strewn cabins, water-damaged belongings, and structural wreckage. Longtime camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland reportedly lost his life while trying to protect campers.