More Than 104 Dead, Including 28 Children In Texas Flood: President Trump To Visit On Friday
At least 104 people have been confirmed dead following catastrophic flooding in Texas, with 28 of the victims being children. Many of those children were young girls attending a summer camp over the Fourth of July weekend. Massive search and rescue operations are continuing across the region as officials report numerous people still missing.
The floods struck early Friday, delivering an unexpected and devastating blow. According to reports, torrential rainfall triggered flash floods in the early hours of the morning, catching residents off guard while most were still asleep. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch on Thursday afternoon, upgrading it to an urgent flood warning by around 4 a.m. Friday.
Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country, bore the brunt of the disaster. The Guadalupe River surged an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes after more than a foot of rain fell overnight. Widespread destruction followed, with homes, roads, and public infrastructure wiped out across the region.
One of the most heartbreaking tragedies occurred at Camp Mystic, a well-known Christian summer camp for girls in Kerr County. Among the dead were at least 27 children and camp counselors. Authorities say that 10 girls and one counselor from the camp are still unaccounted for. “It will take a long time to clean up, let alone rebuild,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, speaking at a press conference on Monday, confirmed the heavy toll on Camp Mystic. He also emphasized that efforts to locate the missing continue around the clock.
Survivors painted a grim picture of the scene, with some describing the moment the water hit as a “pitch-black wall of death.” Many said they received no warnings before the floodwaters surged. Officials acknowledged failures in communication systems, citing widespread power outages and poor cell service in rural areas as major contributing factors.
The disaster has prompted a review of the area’s emergency alert systems. Local and state officials are now considering major upgrades to ensure more reliable and faster warnings in future emergencies. President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in Kerr County, opening the door to federal assistance. He announced plans to visit the flood-ravaged areas on Friday and has authorized FEMA support for victims and first responders on the ground.
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