Texas Flood Death Toll Rises to 51, Rescue Efforts Continue

Reported by Kokcha News Agency

The death toll from torrential rains and subsequent flooding in Texas has risen to 51, with 15 of the victims being children. The Guadalupe River rose a staggering 8 meters in just 45 minutes, causing widespread destruction and chaos.

Rescue teams are continuing their search for 27 girls who went missing from a riverside summer camp. Nim Kidd, Director of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, stated that air, land, and water teams are combing the Guadalupe River area for survivors and bodies.

The Kerr County summer camp, which housed hundreds of children, was left in disarray, with blankets, teddy bears, and other belongings scattered in the mud. Footage shared online shows that the windows of the camp cabins were shattered by the force of the floodwaters.

Kerr County Sheriff Leitha confirmed that 27 children from Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, are still missing. Approximately 750 girls were attending the camp at the time of the disaster. U.S. media, citing family reports, stated that four of the missing girls have been confirmed dead.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the state disaster declaration and requested additional federal resources from President Donald Trump. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that Trump wants to “upgrade technologies” at the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

During a press conference, Noem stated, “We need to modernize this outdated system.” Scientists and disaster management agencies have criticized Trump for cutting funding and personnel at NOAA and NWS, which are responsible for weather forecasting and preparedness.

When asked about claims that residents were not adequately warned about the floods, Noem said she would relay these concerns to the federal government.

Kerr County official Rob Kelly said on Friday, “We didn’t know this flood was coming.” Dalton Rice, a city official in Kerrville, added, “The forecasts were completely wrong, and the rainfall was double what was expected.” Rice also noted that rescue teams are facing extremely challenging conditions.

The flood disaster began on July 4, with several months’ worth of rain falling in just a few hours. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of more rain, stating, “Excessive runoff could cause rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone areas to overflow.”

Gerardo Martinez, a 61-year-old resident, told AFP, “The water reached the tops of the trees—about 10 meters high. Cars and entire houses were swept down the river.”

Soila Reyna, a 55-year-old Kerrville resident who works at a church and is helping people who lost their belongings, witnessed the devastation firsthand. Reyna said, “It’s been years since we’ve had a flood, but we’ve never seen anything like this.”