Texas floods. Credit: X @nicksortor
At least 82 people have died, and dozens remain missing after catastrophic floods ripped through central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, with officials warning of more storms in the coming days.
The floods began before dawn on Friday, July 4, when the Guadalupe River surged more than 20 feet in less than two hours, sweeping through Kerr County – home to Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. According to CNN, at least 68 people died in Kerr County alone, including several children and the camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland.
Ten girls and one camp counsellor are still missing, as search and rescue operations continue across the region. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, after touring the devastated area, said: “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through” (Cited by the BBC).
Texas floods: Death toll mounting across counties
As of Sunday night, these were the confirmed fatalities by county:
- Kerr County: 68 dead (28 children)
- Travis County: 5 dead
- Burnet County: 3 dead
- Williamson & Kendall Counties: 2 each
- Tom Green County: 1 dead
At least 41 people remain unaccounted for, with some bodies reportedly found up to eight miles downriver from where Camp Mystic once stood, according to Greg Froelick of the volunteer rescue group 300 Justice.
Survivors recall terrifying moments
David Fry and his extended family of 33 were vacationing at the River Inn Resort in Hunt, Texas when the floods hit. “The Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in roughly 45 minutes,” Fry told CNN affiliate KPRC. “We had no choice but to help each other climb up on the roof… it was a very, very close call.”
Elsewhere, Diana Smith said she prayed for help as floodwaters swept away her dogs. She escaped in a kayak with her pets, saying, “I said a prayer when I was standing on my porch. Both my parents are deceased. And I said, ‘Mom, Dad, God, help.’”
The National Weather Service warned today (Monday, July 7) that up to 10 inches of additional rain could fall across affected areas, including Austin, San Antonio and Kerrville. The agency posted on X: “Any additional heavy rainfall will lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding.”
Journalist Nick Sortor posted on X today: “The Texas National Guard has successfully rescued a total of 520 victims from the floods This includes a MASSIVE 361 air evacuations by UH-60 Blackhawks, and 159 rescues with ground assets These heroes are INCREDIBLE! Keep it up guys!”
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