Kerr County – Four days after catastrophic Texas floods ravaged central parts of the state, at least 161 people remain missing and 109 have been confirmed dead, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The disaster, fueled by a sudden wall of water from the swollen Guadalupe River, has left communities shattered and emergency responders working around the clock.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Abbott said that hopes of finding additional survivors are rapidly fading. “We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for,” he vowed. Among the missing are five campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls situated along the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Texas floods- The vast majority of casualties have occurred in Kerr County, with at least 94 deaths reported in the Kerrville area alone. Many of the victims were caught off guard as torrential rainfall overnight Thursday into Friday caused the Guadalupe River to burst its banks during Independence Day celebrations.
Kerr County Hit Hardest by Texas Floods
The governor, who surveyed the texas floods zone firsthand, described the flooding as a “30-foot tsunami wall of water” that swept through homes and campsites with devastating force. Authorities had issued storm warnings in advance, but Abbott admitted they had “no idea of the magnitude” the storm would bring.
More than 250 emergency personnel have been deployed in Kerr County to assist with the search and rescue efforts. The mission is being supported by a coalition of state and federal agencies, including the Texas National Guard, Border Patrol, the FBI, and local law enforcement.
General Thomas Suelzer from the Texas National Guard confirmed that Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters with rescue hoists are flying over affected areas. Thirteen Black Hawk helicopters, including four from neighboring Arkansas, are assisting the operation. Authorities are also utilizing Reaper drones for aerial surveillance and search.
Despite the high-tech efforts, searchers face extremely challenging conditions. One volunteer named Tim told the BBC, “I’ve worked hurricanes and floods in East Texas, but this is a nightmare.”
Another volunteer, Justin, said it’s like “trying to find a single hay in a haystack,” referencing the scale of destruction. “There’s not enough cadaver dogs, and we’re digging with tools and bare hands.”
For survivors, the reality is harsh. Justin Brown, a long-time resident of the Blue Oak RV Park along the Guadalupe River, lost everything in the texas floods. “A week ago, I had a home. Now there’s just a muddy puddle,” he said.
Brown credits quick action by emergency crews and his landlord for helping evacuate most of the residents in time. Still, many in the area are now displaced and without shelter. “I just want to move back in as soon as I can,” he said, standing amid the wreckage.
Camp Mystic, which confirmed at least 27 deaths among campers and staff, remains closed. The once peaceful summer retreat is now part of the wide path of devastation.
Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to visit texas floods on Friday to assess the damage and meet with survivors and emergency workers. The visit is expected to bring national attention to the crisis and offer support to affected communities.
Meanwhile, neighboring New Mexico is facing its own flood emergency. The National Weather Service (NWS) declared a flash flood emergency in Ruidoso, where a 15-foot flood wave surged through the town on Tuesday night.
Homes have reportedly been washed away, and swift water rescues are ongoing. As of Tuesday evening, several people were still unaccounted for, and emergency crews were working into the night to reach stranded residents.
Meteorologists and disaster experts attribute the Texas floods to a combination of extreme weather, poor drainage infrastructure, and the location of vulnerable homes along the river. The storm’s sudden intensity made it nearly impossible to prepare or respond in time.
Abbott pushed back against questions about accountability, stating, “This isn’t about blame. Champion teams don’t point fingers—they get back to work.”
With search and rescue efforts still underway, the full impact of the Texas floods is not yet known. But what is clear is that the road to recovery will be long and difficult for thousands of Texans affected by this natural disaster.
Officials continue to urge residents to report any missing persons and follow all safety guidance. As heavy rains threaten to return in the coming days, emergency services are bracing for further challenges.
Source-BBC
