Texas flood disaster claims 78 lives as 41 remain missing

At least 78 people have been confirmed dead and 41 are still missing after devastating flash floods hit central Texas on Friday, July 4, 2025. The worst impact was felt in Kerr County, where 68 of the fatalities, including 28 children, occurred. A Christian girls’ summer camp, Camp Mystic, was completely overrun by the rising Guadalupe River, which surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes before dawn.

Among the dead are several campers and the camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland. Ten girls and a camp counsellor remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams are now shifting focus from search to recovery, as officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise.

Search efforts are being hampered by dangerous conditions, including venomous snakes and thick mud. Items such as clothing and furniture have been found scattered up to eight miles downriver from the camp. Former Navy SEAL and rescue volunteer Greg Froelick described the scene as one of widespread devastation.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who toured the area, vowed that authorities would “stop at nothing” to find the missing. “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” he said.

The number of people affected could be higher, as many families were believed to be camping in the area for the Independence Day weekend. A highway near the river, connecting Kerrville to Camp Mystic, has been left in ruins, with toppled fences, fallen trees, and downed utility lines.

President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration, activating federal support through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He announced he may visit the state on Friday, describing the incident as “a horrible thing that took place.”

Meanwhile, local communities have rallied to support relief efforts. Residents have delivered food, clothes, and shelter to displaced families. Alma Garcia, who travelled from San Antonio, was seen giving her own shirt to a flood victim. Another local woman, Perla, began collecting clothing right after finishing her shift at Walmart.

Global condolences have poured in. In Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered special prayers during mass for the families of the victims. “We pray for them,” he said.

With more rain expected in the coming days, emergency officials remain on high alert as they continue to search for the missing and support those affected by one of Texas’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history.