Four days after flash floods swept through central Texas over the July Fourth weekend, more than 160 people remain unaccounted for, Governor Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday. So far, the disaster has claimed over 100 lives.
Many of the missing individuals were staying in camps or campgrounds near the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country region, which has made it difficult for rescue teams to track everyone. The number of missing surged once authorities launched a special hotline for families to report those they couldn’t reach.
While surveying flood damage from the air in Hunt, Texas, Governor Abbott promised, “We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for.”
Focus Shifts to Rescue, Not Blame
The worst-hit area is Kerr County, where most of the missing are believed to be. Dozens of bodies have already been found there. Former President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, saying he was especially heartbroken “for all the little girls who have lost their lives.” He also promised support for Texas and said he would visit the state on Friday.
At a press briefing, Lt. Col. Ben Baker from the Texas Game Wardens emphasized that rescue efforts remain the top priority: “Right now, this team is focused on bringing people home.” He made this statement during a tense conference as concerns grew over whether people were properly warned in time.
Sadly, no new survivors have been found since Friday, and officials admit that the chances of rescue are quickly fading.
Camp Mystic Tragedy: At Least 27 Dead
Governor Abbott will soon visit Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls where at least 27 campers and staff were killed by the floods. As of Tuesday, five campers and one counselor are still missing.
Scenes from the camp show how quickly disaster struck. Mud covers blankets, and bright-colored luggage lies scattered near damaged cabins. Among the dead were a young girl who loved sparkly pink, a 19-year-old counselor passionate about helping others, and the 75-year-old camp director.
Flash Flood Struck Without Warning
The floods hit without warning before sunrise on Friday. Torrential rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise by 26 feet (8 meters) in less than an hour. Cabins, tents, and trailers were quickly flooded, and many people were swept away. Some survivors escaped by climbing trees or crawling through windows.
While some camps managed to move children to safety in time, others were overwhelmed by the speed of the flooding.
Emergency Preparedness Under Scrutiny
Experts believe climate change may be making these types of extreme weather events more frequent. However, scientists caution that it’s difficult to directly link one specific storm to climate change.
Meanwhile, questions are growing about why no proper warning system was in place. Kerr County officials said they don’t have an emergency alert system. They had tried to apply for nearly $1 million in federal funds for one, but the request was denied. Local residents also rejected proposals to fund it themselves.
The floods have caused massive destruction across central Texas, with damage stretching hundreds of miles, reaching close to Austin.
Survivors Left With Nothing
Among the survivors is Aidan Duncan, who escaped just in time from the Riverside RV Park in Ingram. He heard an evacuation warning from a megaphone and ran. Now, his home is surrounded by mud, and his belongings—including a birdcage and a collection of sports cards—are buried in debris.
Authorities have confirmed that 30 children are among the victims recovered in Kerr County so far.
