- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 06 Jul 2025 04:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Torrential rains unleashed sudden and devastating flash floods across parts of central Texas, claiming the lives of at least 50 people and leaving dozens missing, local authorities confirmed over the weekend. Some areas saw a month's worth of rain in only a few hours overnight into Friday, causing rivers to swell to enormous levels and communities to be flooded.
One of the most devastated counties is Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River increased by over 20 feet in under two hours. At least 43 people 28 adults and 15 children, have died there, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha. The authorities are concerned that the number of deaths may increase even more as rescue efforts continue
Items lie scattered inside a cabin at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, US | Credit: Reuters
More than 20 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls situated along the river. Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, said, “We’ve been rescuing people out of these camps by the hundreds all day.” The camp usually hosts around 750 children each summer. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assured the nation of a strong rescue and recovery process. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she confirmed that the US Coast Guard has "saved or assisted" 223 individuals to date. "Right now, the number one priority is people, ensuring we are locating them as quickly as possible and returning them to their families," Noem stated in a video message posted online. She went on to say that President Biden is "committed to deploying all federal resources" for reunifying families and assisting impacted communities.
A search dog looks through a dumpster at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, US | Credit: Reuters
Following the tragedy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed Sunday, July 6, as a Day of Prayer throughout the state. Posting on X, Abbott said, "Declared this Sunday, July 6th, as a Day of Prayer in Texas due to the Hill Country floods. Texans, I invite you to pray with me for the communities impacted by this tragedy." Governor Abbott signed an additional federal disaster declaration expanded Saturday to encompass six more counties, putting 20 in the flood-damaged list. Travis County, some 130 miles northeast of Kerr County, recorded four fatalities and 13 missing persons, reports KXAN-TV.
A helicopter passes in the distance after a deadly flooding in Kerville, Texas | Credit: Reuters
A trailer wraps around a tree after deadly flooding in Ingram, Texas | Credit: Reuters
The US National Weather Service said the water levels of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County increased from 7.5 feet to almost 30 feet in a period of three hours, the second-highest ever recorded. Authorities said preliminary weather forecasts underestimated the rains that precipitated the devastating flooding.
In a show of solidarity with the United States, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on X, "Deeply saddened to hear about loss of lives, particularly children, in the heartbreaking floods in Texas. Our condolences to the US Govt and the grieving families."
ALSO READ: Texas Flash Floods: PM Modi Offers Condolences As 43 Dead, 27 Girls Missing After Camp Mystic
Rescue Efforts Continue
A volunteer rescue worker works after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas | Credit: Reuters
A man vaccums water inside VFW Post 1480 after deadly flooding in Kerville, Texas, US | Credit: Reuters
Through Saturday afternoon, rescue efforts continue in Burnet County and elsewhere. The Burnet County Sheriff's Office confirmed two fatalities and two individuals still missing. Authorities have asked people to avoid flooded neighborhoods and be prepared for additional weather alerts as continuous heavy rain threatens central Texas communities already reeling from several devastating floods this year.
