More than 100 people have been confirmed dead following catastrophic flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country over the weekend.
Confirmed fatalities rose to 104 as of Monday, according to the Associated Press with local authorities disclosing that at least 27 children and counselors were among the victims.
The children were attending the Mystic girls’ summer camp located along the Guadalupe River, one of the hardest-hit areas.
The Hill Country, which covers more than 20 counties in central Texas, experienced torrential rainfall that triggered flash floods, destroyed cabins, swept away campsites and damaged critical infrastructure.
Local officials said the floods extended west to San Angelo and as far east as Austin. In San Angelo, one fatality was reported and about 12,000 structures were affected.
Kerr County reported the highest number of deaths, with 84 bodies recovered. Search and rescue operations continue as officials deploy boats, drones, and canine units to comb through debris-laden rivers and submerged areas.
The National Weather Service has indicated that most flood warnings and watches for central Texas were expected to expire by Monday evening, though light showers may persist.
Local, state, and federal agencies have faced criticism for the apparent lack of disaster preparedness. Hill Country’s absence of flood warning sirens has drawn significant scrutiny as families question whether more lives could have been saved with earlier alerts.
Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that the state legislature will address the region’s disaster alert infrastructure in an upcoming special session. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick indicated that some residents were only alerted to the severity of the flooding by a lightning strike early Friday morning.
Senator Ted Cruz rejected claims that cuts to the National Weather Service budget under President Trump contributed to inadequate warnings.
He called for unity and a focus on recovery efforts while pledging that lessons would be learned. President Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration and is expected to visit affected areas later this week.
Economic losses from the floods have been preliminarily estimated at $18 billion to $22 billion, according to AccuWeather. Local businesses, tourism operators, and residents in the Hill Country region face extensive rebuilding costs.
The Hill Country, a favored holiday destination for families from Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, was crowded for the Fourth of July weekend when the floods struck. Many vacationers were staying in campgrounds and RV parks along spring-fed rivers, which rose rapidly as storms delivered heavy rainfall in a short period.
In the aftermath, more than 30 victims remain unidentified as families and authorities coordinate to account for the missing. Local officials declined to specify how many people remain unaccounted for but acknowledged that more fatalities may be confirmed in the days ahead.
Community leaders in Kerrville and surrounding towns have appealed for support and continued prayers for affected families.
The Mystic girls’ camp issued a statement expressing deep sorrow, saying, “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
Search and recovery operations are expected to continue this week as water levels recede and access to isolated areas improves.
