Deadly Flood in Texas Leaves at Least 109 Dead; Major Disaster Declared After Catastrophic Event

Deadly Flood Sweeps Through Texas

Over 100 Lives Lost

Rescue Operations Continue Under High Alert

Raging floodwaters swept through central-south Texas, leaving behind an unprecedented trail of destruction and death.

The death toll from the catastrophic flooding has reached 109, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Larry Leitha Jr., Sheriff of Kerr County—the hardest-hit area—said that the bodies of 87 victims had been recovered within his jurisdiction.

Among those victims, 56 were adults and 30 were children, with the age of one victim still pending confirmation. Additionally, the bodies of 19 adults and seven minors remain unidentified, Leitha Jr. added.

Camp Mystic Among the Hardest-Hit Areas

Deadly Flood in Texas Leaves at Least 109 Dead – Photo: Screenshot X AFP News Agency

Camp Mystic, located about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio along the Guadalupe River, became the epicenter of the tragedy.

Ten girls and one camp counselor are still missing, with hopes of finding them alive growing increasingly slim.

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“We still have hundreds of officers, agents, and support personnel working on every aspect of this emergency,” stated the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.

The Texas National Guard and the state’s Military Department helped rescue over 500 people trapped in flooded areas.

Federal and State Response Swift

President Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, the region hardest hit by torrential rains.

“These families are enduring unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost and others still missing,” Trump expressed on social media.

The Trump administration is coordinating with state and local authorities to channel emergency resources.

Jonathan Porter, Chief Meteorologist at AccuWeather, underscored the magnitude of the disaster. “The terrible loss of life in this flash flood is heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with survivors, first responders, officials, and volunteers,” Porter said.

Deadly Texas Flood: Overnight Warnings and Extreme Rainfall

The catastrophe intensified because flash flood warnings arrived overnight, when most residents were asleep.

An advisory was issued more than 12 hours in advance, but the urgent alert came after 1 a.m.

The flood crest hit between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., leaving little time for evacuation.

Seven months’ worth of rain fell in less than two hours, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 22 feet (6.7 meters) during that time. The water ultimately reached 30 feet (9 meters) before gauges failed, likely washed away by the force of the current.

The death toll in the devastating Texas floods has passed 100 and includes at least 28 children as rescuers continue to search through rubble and debris for many more who are still missing.

LATEST: https://t.co/004Pl0Zbth pic.twitter.com/md8dnD4oYS

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Treacherous Terrain and Torrential Rainfall

The region is known as the flash flood capital of the United States, with rugged terrain that channels water rapidly into low-lying areas.

“There’s a lot of rugged terrain with hills and valleys, and water pours down from the hills into lower areas,” explained Porter.

The disaster was worsened by Gulf moisture and slow-moving winds that caused torrential rain to stall over the same areas for hours.

On Sunday, families returned to Camp Mystic, picking their way through debris and shattered cabins.

Scenes of Devastation at the Camp

“Today, I visited Camp Mystic. Both the camp and the river beside it were terribly devastated,” Governor Abbott posted on X.

“The water levels that rose into the cabins were shocking. We will not stop until we find every one of the missing girls,” he added.

Extreme heat in the aftermath is compounding the crisis for survivors.

RealFeel temperatures are soaring between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, posing additional health risks for those without air conditioning.

Texas flood death toll passes 100. 104 confirmed dead as search and rescue efforts continue. Scenes of devastation after an RV park swept away in Kerrville pic.twitter.com/1KmotucAc5

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Economic Losses and Insurance Challenges

The economic toll is staggering, with losses estimated between $18 billion and $22 billion. Costs include search and rescue operations, debris removal, insurance claims, and the severe blow to the region’s tourism industry, according to AccuWeather.

“This is the latest disaster in an area with a long and tragic history of flash floods,” Porter lamented. The insurance crisis is deepening the tragedy, as many homeowners lack adequate flood coverage. Only about 4% of U.S. homeowners carry flood insurance through the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Officials warn that this catastrophe may further strain insurance availability and affordability in Texas.

“This latest climate disaster in the United States could further complicate challenges around insurance availability and affordability,” Porter concluded.