The full scale of Texas’ catastrophic flash flooding continues to grow more tragic. On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that the number of missing people has surged to 161 — quadrupling overnight from the previously reported 40 — while the death toll has reached 109, surpassing the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
“We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for,” Abbott told reporters after surveying the damage by helicopter. He emphasized that the updated number includes those reported unaccounted for by friends, neighbors, and relatives, and warned the figure could still rise.
Camp Mystic and Kerr County at Epicenter
The hardest-hit area remains Kerr County, where 87 deaths have been recorded, including 27 victims from Camp Mystic — a beloved all-girls Christian summer camp. Five girls are still missing from the site, which was overwhelmed by a wall of water after the Guadalupe River surged more than 30 feet above normal levels on July 4.
“It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen,” one first responder said. Entire communities have been left in ruins, with overturned trucks, snapped trees, and shattered homes littering the region.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
When asked during a press conference about accountability for the deadly delay in flood alerts, Governor Abbott pushed back: “The word choice of losers is to ask, ‘Who’s to blame?’ We’re focused on saving lives. We’ve got this.”
Still, questions remain about why flood warnings didn’t reach vulnerable communities like Kerr County in time. The National Weather Service had issued alerts, but many residents reported never receiving them before water engulfed homes and campsites.
National Attention and Aid
The disaster has drawn national attention. President Trump signed a major disaster declaration to release federal aid, and humanitarian groups like The Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse are now on the ground helping survivors.
Search and rescue operations continue with the help of drones, airboats, and volunteers. Local churches, schools, and sports teams are mobilizing donation drives and offering shelter to displaced families.
As this is a developing crisis, stay updated through verified emergency channels and local authorities. For assistance, visit Texas Disaster Relief or call 211 for emergency shelter and services.
