HUNT, Texas. At least 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following massive flash floods in central Texas, as rescue efforts continued on Saturday to locate dozens still missing, authorities reported.
Heavy rains early Friday morning caused rivers in the region, particularly around the Guadalupe River near Kerr County, to rise rapidly to 29 feet, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and campers. The National Weather Service said up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain fell in just a few hours, half of the region’s average yearly rainfall.
Among those unaccounted for are 27 girls from the Christian-run Camp Mystic in Kerr County, according to City Manager Dalton Rice. While 27 individuals are officially missing, Rice said authorities are unable to confirm the total number of people affected. “We will not put a number on the other side because we just don’t know,” he said.
More than 850 people have been rescued, with some clinging to trees before being pulled to safety by emergency teams. In Travis County, four people have died and 13 are still unaccounted for. One death was also confirmed in Kendall County. Some news agencies have placed the overall death toll at 52, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 17 of the 43 confirmed dead have not yet been identified. “We know that the rivers rise, but nobody saw this coming,” added Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly.
Camp Mystic, which had 700 girls in residence during the flood, was devastated. Mud lines in one cabin indicated floodwaters reached six feet from the floor. Bed frames, mattresses, and belongings were left caked in mud, and some structures had broken windows or missing walls. Another nearby girls’ camp, Heart O’ the Hills, confirmed the death of its co-owner, Jane Ragsdale, though no campers were present at the time.
In the downstream town of Comfort, large trees were uprooted and roads were blocked by debris. Several smaller bridges were damaged, though the main highway from San Antonio remained passable.
Eyewitnesses described the aftermath with shock. Tonia Fucci, a visitor from Pennsylvania, said: “The devastation was such that I’m still in shock today. And with the rescues going on and helicopters, you just know there’s so many missing children and missing people. But it’s not going to be a good ending.”
Videos posted online showed flattened homes, debris-strewn riverbanks, and rescuers forming human chains to reach stranded residents. Vehicles swept away by floodwaters were later found abandoned, some with smashed windows and doors.
President Donald Trump offered prayers and support on social media, praising first responders. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he requested a federal disaster declaration to provide aid, which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed would be approved.
Noem criticized the National Weather Service’s failure to forecast the severity of the rainfall. She cited ongoing cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which have left many weather offices understaffed. Former NOAA Director Rick Spinrad warned that these reductions in personnel may undermine timely warnings in future disasters.
“This inevitably means additional lives will be lost and probably more property damage,” Spinrad said.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with flood watches remaining in effect for the wider Texas Hill Country area, known for its rugged terrain and popular riverside attractions.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
