Texas Flood Catastrophe Claims Lives of 78, Uncovers Search for Missing Campers

At least 78 fatalities are confirmed, with dozens still missing after severe flooding hits the region, particularly impacting a summer camp.

At least 78 individuals are dead and another 41 are reported missing due to devastating flash floods in central Texas that struck on Friday. The majority of fatalities, including 28 children, occurred in Kerr County, where the renowned Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp along the Guadalupe River, faced catastrophic flooding. Currently, ten campers and a counselor from the camp remain unaccounted for, with authorities warning that the death toll is likely to increase as additional storms threaten the area in the upcoming days.

Three days after the flooding, one of the largest search-and-rescue operations in Texas's recent history is transitioning into a recovery phase. From the Kerr County area, authorities report that 18 adults and 10 children who succumbed to the floods are still awaiting identification. Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that his administration would "stop at nothing" to locate all those missing, narrating his "horrific" experience during, and after visiting the devastated area.

The disaster unfolded in the early morning hours on Friday as the Guadalupe River surged upwards of 26 feet in just 45 minutes, devastating the camp while most campers were asleep. Among the casualties are several young campers and the camp's director, Richard "Dick" Eastland. In the rescue efforts, volunteers like Greg Froelick, a former Navy Seal, report witnessing victims found as far as eight miles downriver from where Camp Mystic was situated. Froelick described the chaotic scene: "I saw clothing and items from the camp dressers scattered everywhere, up and down the river."

As the devastation includes destruction along a two-lane highway to Camp Mystic, local residents have rallied together to provide assistance. Many have donated supplies, food, and even opened their homes to support those displaced by the storm. Alma Garcia, who arrived from San Antonio, shared her experience of delivering meals to both residents and volunteers aiding in cleanup efforts.

President Donald Trump acted by signing a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, involving the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist in recovery. He expressed his commitment to support the affected families while indicating a potential visit to Texas within the week.

International condolences have poured in, with Pope Leo XIV offering prayers for the victims on behalf of the Catholic community in Rome. As communities in central Texas continue to cope with the aftermath, both local and national efforts strive to provide critical support to those affected by this tragic event.