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Central Texas is reeling from devastating flash floods that have killed at least 59 people, including 21 children, as rescue efforts continue amid warnings of further rainfall. The floods, which struck on Thursday night into Friday morning, have caused widespread destruction, particularly in Kerr County, where 43 deaths have been confirmed.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that among the deceased are 38 adults and 21 children, with 18 adults and four children still awaiting identification. Eleven girls and one camp counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River, remain unaccounted for. The camp, which has been family-run since the 1930s, was hit hard, with low-lying cabins less than 500 feet from the riverbank engulfed by floodwaters. Over 400 first responders from more than 20 agencies are combing the area, navigating treacherous conditions to locate survivors. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed the rising death toll, warning that it is likely to increase. “We’re now up to 59,” he told Fox News. “We expect that to go higher, sadly.” In addition to Kerr County, fatalities have been reported in Travis County (four), Burnet County (two), Tom Green County (one), and Kendall County (one). Among the victims were sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, from Dallas, who were visiting their grandparents along the Guadalupe River. Their deaths were confirmed by St. Rita Catholic Community. Their grandparents remain missing, while their parents, staying in a separate cabin, were unharmed. At Camp Mystic, children as young as eight, including Renee Smajstrla, Sarah Marsh, Janie Hunt, and Lila Bonner, were confirmed dead, leaving families and communities in mourning. Rescue operations have saved approximately 850 people so far, with volunteers and emergency teams working tirelessly. Kerrville Mayor Don Herring Junior emphasized the city’s commitment to rescuing those in peril, stating, “Our goal is to rescue those who are lost.” He urged donations to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to support affected families. The floods, triggered by a month’s worth of rain falling in just hours, have left homes and infrastructure in ruins. In Kerrville, resident Anthony described returning from Houston to find his apartment filled with mud and debris, his belongings destroyed. “I lost everything I own,” he told the BBC’s Angélica Casas. Another resident, Karen Rector, narrowly escaped disaster when floodwaters reached the base of her mobile home but did not enter. The National Weather Service has warned of more rain, raising fears of further flooding in rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas. City Manager Dalton Rice has asked residents to refrain from flying personal drones in the search area, as they pose a danger to rescue aircraft. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the state’s emergency declaration and requested federal support. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged additional helicopters, stating that President Donald Trump is “devastated” by the tragedy. International leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed condolences. Questions have emerged about the lack of early warnings, with concerns raised over budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Experts warn that reduced weather balloon launches and ocean observation tools could hinder accurate forecasting, impacting not only the US but global weather services. As the search for the missing continues, authorities and communities remain united in their resolve. “The work continues, and will continue, until everyone is found,” Sheriff Leitha vowed.
