Search for Missing Girls Continues as Floods Claim 59 Lives in Texas
The tragic floods in Texas have led to a rising death toll, now reaching 59 individuals, including 21 children. Authorities confirmed this information on Sunday as the search for several girls missing from a summer camp continues into its third day.
Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country—the area hardest hit by the flooding—reported that 11 girls and a counselor are still unaccounted for. These individuals were part of a camp near the Guadalupe River, which overflowed following heavy rainfall that began on Friday, coinciding with Independence Day celebrations.
Leitha mentioned that among the deceased, there are still 18 adults and four children awaiting identification, although it remains unclear if these numbers are part of the overall death count.
Rescue efforts have been significant, with over 850 individuals saved, some of whom were found clinging to trees. Up to 15 inches of rain fell in the central Texas region, which is about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio, leaving many still unaccounted for.
“Everyone in the community is hurting,” said Sheriff Leitha during a press briefing.
The floods have raised questions about whether cuts to the federal workforce under the previous administration impacted the ability to predict such severe weather events. Some experts have suggested that staffing reductions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may have hindered the issuance of timely warnings.
Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad indicated that while he couldn’t say for certain if these cuts were a factor, they could affect the agency’s forecasting abilities in the long run.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged that the flood watch issued prior to the storm did not accurately reflect the extreme rainfall that followed. She mentioned that efforts are being made to improve the warning system.
Congressman Joaquin Castro from Texas raised concerns that a reduced workforce could lead to greater risks during flash floods. “Proper staffing is crucial for accurate analysis and predictions,” he warned.
As the situation unfolds, more rain is anticipated on Sunday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch for Kerr County until 1 p.m. local time. The rapid onset of the disaster on Friday resulted in river levels rising as high as 29 feet.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has requested federal assistance through a disaster declaration from President Trump, which would release funds to aid recovery efforts. Noem confirmed that the request would be honored.
The missing campers were associated with Camp Mystic, a long-standing Christian girls’ camp that housed around 700 girls at the time of the flooding. The aftermath of the disaster revealed extensive damage at the camp, with mud lines in cabins indicating that water levels had reached at least six feet.
The scene of devastation included scattered bed frames and belongings, along with damaged buildings, as the community comes to grips with the tragic loss and seeks to locate those still missing.
