KERR COUNTY, TEXAS — July 6, 2025 (Reuters):
The death toll from the devastating floods in Texas rose to at least 78 on Sunday, including 28 children, as rescuers continued a desperate search for missing individuals—most notably, 10 girls and a counselor from a summer camp. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains on Independence Day, has left communities in central Texas reeling.

The epicenter of the catastrophe is Kerr County, where Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 68 people lost their lives in the flooding, including dozens of children. An additional 10 deaths were reported across surrounding counties, and 41 people remain missing, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Among the most tragic sites is Camp Mystic, a historic Christian girls’ camp, where 10 campers and a counselor remain unaccounted for. “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” said Governor Abbott, who toured the site on Saturday.

Torrential Rain Unleashes Deadly Flash Floods

The disaster unfolded rapidly on July 4, as the Guadalupe River surged over its banks following up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rainfall in central Texas. By Friday morning, water levels in some areas had risen as high as 29 feet (9 meters), catching many residents off guard.

More than 850 people have been rescued, with emergency crews pulling some survivors from treetops. However, officials warn the situation remains volatile. Unconfirmed reports of an additional “wall of water” prompted warnings from Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, who said aircraft had been deployed to monitor water levels, and responders near the river were advised to retreat.

Flood advisories remained in effect Sunday for much of central Texas, with continued rainfall threatening to hamper rescue efforts.

Federal Response and Political Scrutiny

President Donald Trump declared a major disaster and announced he would visit the area on Friday. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams and U.S. Coast Guard aircraft have been dispatched to support local search and rescue operations, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

However, questions have been raised about whether recent federal workforce reductions affected the government’s ability to predict and prepare for the disaster. Critics point to significant job cuts under Trump’s administration at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the National Weather Service.

Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad warned that fewer personnel could reduce the agency’s capacity to deliver accurate and timely forecasts. While it remains unclear whether the cuts directly impacted flood warnings, Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas said underprepared forecasting may have contributed to the tragedy.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged that only a “moderate” flood watch was issued ahead of the storm and said the administration is working on upgrades to the system.

Scenes of Devastation

Camp Mystic, which housed about 700 girls at the time of the flood, saw entire cabins destroyed. Katharine Somerville, a counselor on higher ground, described a chaotic and terrifying night as water poured into the camp and cabins lost power.

“Our cabins at the very top of the hills were flooded,” she said in a televised interview. “We never imagined this level of devastation.”

Somerville said her campers were safely evacuated via military trucks, but damage to the site was extensive. Inside the ruined cabins, mud caked furniture, personal belongings were strewn across the floor, and some buildings had lost entire walls or windows.

Continuing Rescue Efforts

Search and rescue teams are working around the clock to locate the missing, including the 10 girls and one counselor still unaccounted for from Camp Mystic. Officials say the death toll may rise in the coming days as crews access more remote areas.

“Everyone in the community is hurting,” said Sheriff Leitha, as residents brace for further rain and hope for miracles amid the destruction.

As Texas recovers from one of the deadliest flood events in its recent history, attention is now turning to how this tragedy could have been prevented—and how the state and nation will respond moving forward.