Our hearts go out to the people of Texas as they experience the heartbreaking impact of recent flooding, with a death toll climbing to 50. The calamity hit over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Inundating floods pushed the Guadalupe River well past the critical flood stage, resulting in massive devastation throughout central Texas. Emergency responders are doing everything in their power to find those still missing. Governor Greg Abbott has repeatedly underscored the urgency of these federal search operations by saying that “every hour counts.”
As rescue efforts continue, officials report that air, ground, and water-based teams are actively scouring the Guadalupe River for survivors and the bodies of those who perished. Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Department of Emergency Management, testified crews are still actively deployed along the river. In short, they’re looking for a glimmer of hope in all the madness.
The Impact of Unprecedented Rainfall
The flooding crisis began on Friday, marking the start of the Fourth of July celebrations, when torrential rains inundated the region. Kerrville city official Dalton Rice said the rainfall ended up being “twice what was expected.” The sudden flooding from this unusual storm resulted in an alarming increase in water depth. The Guadalupe River rose a harrowing 26 feet in less than 45 minutes. This very swift increase led to several flash flood warnings throughout central Texas as well.
Sheriff Larry Leitha stated that out of the dead, 28 adults and 15 children were found. Tragically, 27 campers from Camp Mystic, which sits along the Guadalupe River in central Texas, are still missing. The camp was serving nearly 750 girls when the flood hit. As you might be able to see in these pictures, rushing waters really tore through our site, washing away cabins and breaking windows.
“Nothing like as catastrophic as this, where it involved children, people and just the loss of people’s houses,” – Soila Reyna
Aftermath of Flooding has flooded much of central Texas, destroying homes and businesses. Roads and bridges could endure the brunt of damage as well. Local residents are aghast, understandably, at the suddenness and severity of the disaster.
Ongoing Search and Recovery Operations
Rescue teams have been working around the clock since the flooding started, performing swift-water rescues and evacuations. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made clear how critical it is to keep search efforts going after dark. His office said that “every hour counts” in their critical nascent mission to find survivors. Alongside local first responders, state officials are working with federal resources to supplement and strengthen recovery efforts.
According to Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Leitha, recovery operations have already produced 43 dead bodies in Kerr County alone. The search is especially concentrated on the marshy stretches surrounding Camp Mystic, where the destruction was worst. Survivors and eyewitness accounts report that entire cabins were just washed out—blown away—by the flood’s overwhelming power.
“We will fly throughout the night and as long as possible,” – Kristi Noem
In hard-hit Travis County, four have been confirmed dead, and authorities still are searching for 13 missing. Our community is mourning in an incomprehensible way over this loss of life. Right now, families are scanning the news for any sign of hope that their loved one is safe.
Community Response and Future Concerns
And for the communities impacted by the flooding, it will be years before they recover. As residents begin to assess the extensive damage to their homes and businesses, just as importantly, they’re grappling with the emotional and professional toll this catastrophic event has taken on their lives. Rob Kelly, a local resident, expressed his disbelief over the suddenness of the disaster: “We didn’t know this flood was coming.”
This trend is growing as officials look back on the effects of the flooding and calling for better infrastructure and more preparedness ahead of storms. Kristi Noem has urged local leaders to bring concerns to federal authorities regarding aging systems that may not withstand such extreme weather events. She urged the need for renewal and strengthening of these systems to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
“We need to renew this ancient system,” – Kristi Noem
While search and recovery efforts are ongoing in Texas, communities across the country are raising to each other’s support and helping one another recover. Real fundraisers and volunteer initiatives are popping up to help everyone who was displaced by the floods and lost everything start to rebuild.