
What to know about the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 80 people
Here's what to know about the deadly flooding, the colossal weather system that drove it in and around Kerr County, Texas, and ongoing efforts to identify victims.
The floods grew to their worst at the midpoint of a long holiday weekend when many people were asleep.
The Texas Hill Country in the central part of the state is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. Friday's flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark early morning hours.
After a flood watch notice midday Thursday, the National Weather Service office issued an urgent warning around 4 a.m. that raised the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat to human life. By at least 5:20 a.m., some in the Kerrville City area say water levels were getting alarmingly high. The massive rain flowing down hills sent rushing water into the Guadalupe River, causing it to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
Camp Mystic 'grieving the loss' of 27 campers and counselors following catastrophic Texas floodsGov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that there were 41 people confirmed to be unaccounted for across the state and more could be missing.
In Kerr County, home to youth camps in the Texas Hill Country, searchers have found the bodies of 68 people, including 28 children, Sheriff Larry Leitha said Sunday afternoon. Fatalities in nearby counties brought the total number of deaths to 79 as of Sunday evening.
Ten girls and a counselor were still unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river.
For past campers, the tragedy turned happy memories into grief.
Beyond the Camp Mystic campers unaccounted for, the number of missing from other nearby campgrounds and across the region had not been released.
'We don't even want to begin to estimate at this time,' Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said Saturday, citing the likely influx of visitors during the July Fourth holiday.
Survivors have described the floods as a 'pitch black wall of death' and said they received no emergency warnings.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who lives along the Guadalupe River, said Saturday that ' nobody saw this coming.' Various officials have referred to it as a '100-year-flood,' meaning that the water levels were highly unlikely based on the historical record.
And records behind those statistics don't always account for human-caused climate change. Though it's hard to connect specific storms to a warming planet so soon after they occur, meteorologists say that a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture and allow severe storms to dump even more rain.
Additionally, officials have come under scrutiny about why residents and youth summer camps along the river were not alerted sooner than 4 a.m. or told to evacuate.
Officials noted that the public can grow weary from too many flooding alerts or forecasts that turn out to be minor.
Kerr county officials said they had presented a proposal for a more robust flood warning system, similar to a tornado warning system, but that members of the public reeled at the cost.
On Sunday, officials walked out of a news briefing after reporters asked them again about delays in alerts and evacuations.
The flash floods have erased campgrounds and torn homes from their foundations.
'It's going to be a long time before we're ever able to clean it up, much less rebuild it,' Kelly said Saturday after surveying the destruction from a helicopter.
Other massive flooding events have driven residents and business owners to give up, including in areas struck last year by Hurricane Helene.
President Donald Trump said he would likely visit the flood zone on Friday.
AP photographers have captured the scale of the destruction, and one of Texas' largest rescue and recover efforts.

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8 minutes ago
How to help victims of deadly Texas floods
Disaster relief efforts are underway to help those affected by the catastrophic flash flooding in Texas Hill Country that killed at least 80 people, with more still missing. On Sunday morning, President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration for Kerr County, which was hit the hardest with 68 deaths, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground. After flooding began early Friday, the Coast Guard activated with Texas first responders to save hundreds from the floodwaters, and search and rescue crews continue their efforts. How to help after deadly Texas floods During a news conference Sunday, officials shared developing resources for the local community and ways to get involved from afar for those looking to help. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha and Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said a Kerr County Flood Relief Fund has been established online via the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. The 501(c)(3) charity was established to help support vetted local response, relief and recovery efforts. Click here for more information on donations and how to help. H-E-B Herring also noted that H-E-B, the popular San Antonio-based supermarket chain, is setting up a mobile kitchen that will help feed those in need in Ingram and Hunt. "Kerrville, where our company was started, and the Hill Country have a special place in the heart of our H-E-B family. As part of our initial outreach there, we are working closely with the Red Cross, local officials, and first responders to support their needs," the grocery store stated in a press release Saturday. "Additionally, we have sent aid to support efforts in San Angelo, Marble Falls, and other impacted areas," the company continued. "Our teams are staying close to the hardest-hit areas, and we will continue to provide needed support as these tragic situations evolve." More updates with resources will be available on the H-E-B website here. Red Cross The American Red Cross has activated in Texas with local partners to support emergency shelters that provide food, relief supplies and other critical resources, including financial and family travel assistance, but said in a press release Sunday that at this time, it "has the resources it needs to respond and is not accepting financial or in-kind donations designated specifically for this event." Several emergency shelters are open to anyone "seeking refuge or a place to charge their phone and connect with our Disaster Mental Health volunteers," the organization stated. The Red Cross also has two reunification centers open now to help reconnect families and loved ones. More information can be found here and below. "Our hearts are heavy as we witness the devastating impact of the recent floods in Texas," the organization stated. "The loss of life and destruction are truly heartbreaking. We stand with the affected communities during this difficult time." Reunification Requests: For those in search of someone who has been impacted by the floods, the Red Cross has casework teams available by phone 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or online through a monitored digital form here. Mental health support: "If you are struggling with the emotional toll of this disaster, please remember, you are not alone. Call SAMHSA at (800) 985-5990 or text 988 to connect with a trained mental health professional," the Red Cross stated Sunday. World Central Kitchen World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by chef and humanitarian José Andrés, has activated in Central Texas, where volunteers are gathering food and water for first responders and victims in the affected areas.


New York Times
8 minutes ago
- New York Times
In Texas, Another Tragic Warning on Climate Change
To the Editor: Re 'As Floodwaters Struck, Key Roles Were Unfilled at Local Weather Offices' (news article, July 7) and 'As the World Warms, Extreme Rain Is Becoming Even More Extreme' (news article, July 5): In view of the unfolding weather tragedy in Texas and the onset of hurricane season, it seems ironic that the administration has made cuts at the National Weather Service and is on track to discontinue weather data sharing with local entities. In addition, the Defense Department is ending data sharing with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in effect blinding predictions of local severe weather. As the administration is not forthcoming as to its reasons, we are left to conjecture while local first responders are cleaning up and finding bodies. Could lives have been saved in Texas? Could lives be lost in the coming hurricane season because of lack of warnings? We may never know, but it's already past time for the media to start aggressively demanding explanations. Howard SchmittGreen Tree, Pa. To the Editor: More than 80 people died this weekend — including at least 27 girls and staff members at Camp Mystic in Texas, who were swept away and drowned during a flash flood that tore through their campsite. A tragedy, yes. But not a surprise. Climate disasters are no longer freakish occurrences. They're accelerating: more heat, more rain, more tornadoes, more lives lost. But Republicans continue to treat the environment as a nuisance — and science as optional. Chanting 'Drill, baby, drill' and making deep cuts at the National Weather Service and other climate data entities aren't policy. They're denial. Gutting environmental regulations and cutting weather watch programs, as the Trump administration has already aggressively done, comes at a cost. And that cost is measured in lives, not dollars. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

19 minutes ago
Texas flooding live updates: 87 dead in the state, 11 missing from Camp Mystic
28:31 At least 87 people are dead after heavy rain led to "catastrophic" flooding in Texas. Kerr County was hit the hardest, with at least 75 deaths, including 27 children. President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration for the county and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground there. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Key Headlines 45 minutes ago Flood threat increasing in Texas 1 hour and 3 minutes ago At least 87 dead in Texas 1 hour and 50 minutes ago 10 girls, 1 counselor still missing from Camp Mystic 2 hours and 5 minutes ago 75 dead including 27 kids in Kerr County Here's how the news is developing. 10 Updates Jul 06, 2025, 6:07 PM EDT Trump says he'll 'probably' visit Texas on Friday, avoids FEMA question Speaking with reporters before boarding Air Force One on Sunday, President Donald Trump spoke about the flooding in Texas, saying he'll "probably" visit the state on Friday. "We're working very close with representatives from Texas, and it's a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible," Trump said, saying he's spoken with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Asked if the meteorologists at the National Weather Service who were impacted by the federal cuts should be hired back, Trump initially said he didn't know but eventually said no. Trump also wouldn't answer if he was working on plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as internal documents show the agency isn't properly staffed. 'Well, FEMA is something we can talk about later, but right now they're busy working, so we'll leave it at that," the president said. -ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Hannah Demissie Texas flooding death toll now at least 78 The number of deaths due to the flooding in Texas is now at least 78, according to the latest information from state officials. Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd said during an afternoon press conference with Gov. Greg Abbott in Austin that there were at least 69 people confirmed dead, based on information that was "a few hours hold" at the time they prepared for the conference. Those numbers included 59 confirmed dead in Kerr County, according to Abbott and Kidd, with 41 missing across the state. In a separate press conference the began just as Gov. Abbott's was ending, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said that as of 1:30 p.m. local time, there were 68 dead in the county, including 28 children – nine more Kerr County deaths that previously reported. Eighteen adults and 10 children are pending identification, according to Leitha. Leitha added that 10 campers and one counselor at Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for. Earlier Sunday, 11 campers remained unaccounted for. It's not known if the single camper was found alive or is among the dead. Gov. Abbott said only people with "specific information" about a missing person should contact officials in order to prevent unnecessary calls from potentially interfering with recovery efforts. 6:13 AM EDT Statewide death toll is now at least 80, say officials The death toll now stands at 80 in the wake of torrential rains and the resulting flooding in Texas. By far the greatest number of fatalities occurred in Kerr County, where 68 people are believed to be dead, according to officials, including 28 children. In Travis County, five people are believed dead, with three dead in Burnet County and one death each reported in Tom Green and Williamson counties, officials have said.