The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Central Texas has climbed to at least 51, with Kerr County reporting 43 fatalities, including 15 children, as confirmed by Sheriff Larry Leitha.
The Guadalupe River’s unprecedented surge, fueled by up to 15 inches of rain in hours, has left communities in ruins, with the river reaching its second-highest level on record.
Rescue operations have saved over 850 people, but the crisis continues as authorities grapple with the scale of destruction.
Officials noted the National Weather Service’s forecast underestimated the rainfall, exacerbating the disaster’s impact.
The region remains on edge, with warnings of potential additional flooding.
At Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp in Hunt, Texas, the number of missing campers has risen to 27, with 750 children present when the floods struck.
The camp, situated in “flash flood alley,” faces severe damage, with debris and mud hampering recovery efforts.
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice reported ongoing rescues, stating, “We’ve been rescuing people out of these camps by the hundreds, you know, all day.”
The camp lacks power and communication, complicating efforts to locate missing girls, including three identified from Dallas: Hadley Hanna, Eloise Peck, and Lila Bonner.
Rescue operations, bolstered by over 100 troopers, drones, and helicopters, have conducted 160 air rescues, with some survivors found clinging to trees.
Travis County reported four deaths, while Burnet County confirmed two deaths and six missing individuals; in Tom Green County, Tanya Burwick, 62, died in her submerged vehicle.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s federal disaster declaration has mobilized extensive resources, with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem affirming federal support.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, whose own property was devastated, described the recovery ahead, saying, “It’s gonna be a long time before we’re ever going to be able clean it up much less rebuild it.”
As Central Texas braces for more rain, the focus remains on finding the missing and supporting shattered communities.