Texas floods latest: Search for missing continues after dozens killed including children

Key Points

• Death toll rises to 51
• Witness accounts lay bare horror of the floods
• Mapped: Where was hit by the deadly flooding?
• How the Texas Hill Country flood went from small water flow to deadly tide in a matter of hours
• Trump 'heartbroken' over Texas flooding

Officials detail response after after 'once-in-a-century flood'

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said he lives along the Guadalupe River: “Our properties were devastated.”

He saw body bags and seen firsthand the devastation from the floods. The judge added: “We know we get rains, we know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming.”

Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy called the disaster a “once-in-a-century flood.”

Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said his team refuses to quit searching until every missing person has been found: “We will not stop until we find every one of them.”

There are 1,300 additional personnel working on the response as well as 906 state assets, Kidd said.

Pictures from the scene of devastating Texas floods

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A look at some of the deadliest floods in the US in the last 25 years

Here's a look at some of the most deadly flooding nationwide in the past 25 years.

How is the search being carried out?

Search crews were facing harsh conditions while "looking in every possible location," Rice said.

Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued in the last 36 hours and there were heroic efforts at the camps to save children.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived and pledged that the Trump administration would use all available resources. Coast Guard helicopters and planes were assisting to ensure operations can continue even in darkness.

One reunification center at an elementary school was mostly quiet after taking in hundreds of evacuees the day before.

"We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We've had a little success, but not much," said Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School District.

Watch: Residents describe historic deadly floods in Texas

Trump says he's 'praying' for Texas families

President Donald Trump said his administration is working “on the ground” in Texas to support the state amid devastating floods.

“The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly. Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy.”

“Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best,” he added. “ GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”

Witness recalls 'indescribable' moment of the flooding

Tonia Fucci, a Pennsylvania resident visiting her grandmother for the Independence Day weekend, woke early on Friday to the sound of heavy rain "coming down in buckets."

"It's indescribable, the sounds, of how loud they were, which turned out to be ... the massive cypress trees that came down along the river," she told a Reuters reporter in an interview the next day.

Ms Fucci filmed on her phone a torrent of muddy water flooding the road to her grandmother's house and two recreational vehicles in a parking lot, with their wheels submerged in water.

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"I'm still in shock today," Fucci told Reuters news agency. "There's so many missing children and missing people. You just want them to be found for the sake of the families. But, you know, it's not going to be a good ending... There's no way people could have survived the swiftness of the water."

Ms Fucci said she had received National Weather alerts on her phone hours after the flood had already hit. The residents of the town had to rely on one another, as they ran to their neighbors to see who needed help before rescue teams arrived.

"Something I've never seen before. You knew it was tragedy," Ms Fucci said.

ICYMI: Congressman reunited with daughters after flooding

Representative August Pfluger shared that he and his wife were reunited with their two daughters, who were attending Camp Mystic.

“Camille, Vivian and I are now reunited with Caroline and Juliana who were evacuated from Camp Mystic,” he wrote. “The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors.”

Texas officials question scaled-back Weather Service’s actions on the night of the floods - but experts say the agency did all it could

Texas officials are questioning the actions of the National Weather Service leading up to Friday’s deadly floods, as fellow meteorologists defend the agency.

Some state and local officials say the NWS didn’t provide accurate forecasts ahead of Friday’s destructive flooding, months after President Donald Trump’s administration gutted the agency and experts warned forecasts could suffer.

Keep reading:

62-year-old woman found dead in San Angelo

A 62-year-old woman was found dead amid floodwaters in San Angelo, Texas.

Death toll rises to 52

Fifty-two people have been killed by the disastrous flooding in central Texas, according to a new tally Saturday evening by The New York Times.

Trump 'heartbroken' over Texas flooding

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said President Donald Trump is “heartbroken” over the Texas flooding.

“Know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what’s happened here in Texas,” Noem said.

“Relief will be coming,” Noem added, noting that Trump has indicated he’ll accept Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for federal aid.

Man recounts rescuing victim caught in floodwaters

Texas resident Carl Jeter told CNN he helped rescue a woman swept away in the Guadalupe River as heavy storms battered the state.

The woman was stuck in the Guadalupe River for four hours before pulling herself up onto a tree, Jeter told CNN.

He called the police to rescue her, but when they didn’t arrive within 30 minutes, he sprang into action.

Jeter said he got into his car and flagged down a nearby rescue officer. Soon afterward, a water rescue team helped get the woman to safety.

She then waited inside Jeter’s home until a family member picked her up.

“It’s a true miracle,” Jeter told CNN. “We’ve been on the river for a long time and that’s not something that is survivable.”

Photos of rescue teams searching for missing campers after Texas Hill Country flash flood

How the Texas Hill Country flood went from small water flow to deadly tide in a matter of hours

A powerful flash flood hit Central Texas’ Hill Country late Friday into early Saturday, leaving at least 27 people dead, including children, while many more are still missing.

Most of the missing were attending Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River.

What began as a routine flood watch quickly turned into a deadly disaster. The National Weather Service predicted between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with some isolated spots possibly getting 5 to 7 inches. Instead, parts of Kerr County were slammed with 10 to 15 inches, and in some places, over 20 inches, within a few hours.

Keep reading:

Girl ‘living her best life’ at camp and man who saved his family. Everything we know about Texas flooding victims

Texas officials prioritizing search and rescue

Texas officials are prioritizing search and rescue efforts, Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said on Saturday evening.

“We’re really focused on life safety,” he said. “Our primary focus is on search and rescue of every single person involved, and we’ll continue through the night to make sure that happens.”

“We’re in a marathon, and we got to make sure we always think about that and look after each other,” he added.

Two girls died in flooding in Kerr County: report

Two girls — 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke — were killed by the floods in Kerr County, their father told CNN on Saturday night.

Harber said Blair “was a gifted student and had a generous, kind heart.”

He described Brooke as “like a light in any room, people gravitated to her and she made them laugh and enjoy the moment.”

Death toll rises to 51

The Texas flooding death toll has risen to 51 people.

43 people were killed in Kerr County, including 15 children. The floods killed another four people in Travis County, three people in Burnet County and one person in Kendall County.

Grok uses climate change stats to explain Karoline Leavitt’s post about Texas floods

Grok, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence bot on X, summarized a post from the White House Press Secretary about the devastating Texas floods, providing information on how global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather.

27 children still missing from Camp Mystic

Twenty-seven children are still missing from Camp Mystic, authorities said on Saturday evening, indicating no change from earlier in the day.

Authorities said they are rescuing people by the hundreds.

Death toll rises to 43

This week’s catastrophic flooding has killed at least 43 people in Kerr County, Texas, officials revealed at a Saturday evening press conference.

The fatalities include 15 children and 28 adults.

Watch: Texas flood victim clinging to tree is airlifted out of danger in dramatic rescue

Georgia Congressional candidate shares conspiracy theories amid floods

A woman running for Congress in Georgia is spreading conspiracy theories claiming that devastating weather events — like floods and hurricanes — are “fake.”

Her comments come amid the devastating flooding in Texas.

“Whack weather patterns creating crisis that are portrayed to be natural and real, but when weather is manipulated, it is a fake progression not natural,” she added.

It is not possible to artificially create or manipulate large-scale weather events like hurricanes.

When another X user accused Taylor of “making false claims” about the Texas floods to “get attention,” the candidate said she was praying “nonstop” for those affected.

“I wasn’t speaking about that event specifically, Taylor wrote. “However, if weather was modified there, it is murder. We better speak up.”

Rep. Pfluger reunited with his children

Representative August Pfluger shared that he and his wife were reunited with their two daughters, who were attending Camp Mystic.

“Camille, Vivian and I are now reunited with Caroline and Juliana who were evacuated from Camp Mystic,” he wrote. “The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors.”

ICYMI: State officials vow to continue efforts until 'every single person' is located

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promised a ‘relentless’ response effort after floods rampaged parts of his home state.

“We will be relentless in going after and making sure we locate every single person who has been a victim of this flooding event,” Abbott said at a Saturday afternoon press conference. “We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow. We’ll stop when the job is completed.”

Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, echoed this sentiment. He said his team refuses to quit searching until every missing person has been found: “We will not stop until we find every one of them.”

Ground crews, air assets, and boats have been working to search for missing people, Kidd added. Recovery efforts have not yet begun.

How the Texas Hill Country flood became a deadly tide in a matter of hours

A powerful flash flood hit Central Texas’ Hill Country late Friday into early Saturday, leaving at least 27 people dead, including children, while many more are still missing.

Most of the missing were attending Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River.

What began as a routine flood watch quickly turned into a deadly disaster. The National Weather Service predicted between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with some isolated spots possibly getting 5 to 7 inches. Instead, parts of Kerr County were slammed with 10 to 15 inches, and in some places, over 20 inches, within a few hours.

San Antonio Express-News newsroom meteorologist Anthony Franze said the storm was fueled by warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and leftovers from Tropical Storm Barry. These combined to create a slow-moving weather system that stayed over the area and dumped heavy rain over hills and valleys.

The geography of Hill Country made things worse. The steep hills and rocky land don’t absorb water well, so rain quickly flows into creeks and rivers. This caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 20 feet in a matter of hours.

Erin Keller has the story.

More rainfall hits San Antonio area

The National Weather Service warns of “life-threatening flash flooding” in parts of Texas as storms won’t relent from the already-devastated region.

In Burnet County, between 5 and 10 inches of rain have fallen, the agency said.

The service warned locals not to drive on flooded roads, noting that “most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.”

WATCH: Rep. Chip Roy on deadly Texas flooding

Noem addresses delayed flood warning alerts from 'ancient' system

At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Noem was pressed about the delayed text alerts about the incoming flash floods: “Wasn’t that a fundamental failure of the federal government’s responsibility to keep us safe?”

The Homeland Security secretary admitted that there are times when the National Weather Service hasn’t provided up-to-date alerts. Trump is “currently upgrading the technology,” she said.

The National Weather Service and NOAA have acknowledged “we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years,” she added.

Death toll rises to 32, Kerr County Sheriff says

The death toll after the floods has risen to 32, with 18 adults and 14 kids having lost their lives in the disaster, the Kerr County sheriff said.

Five of the adults and three of the children remain unidentified, Sheriff Larry Leitha said.

Kidd said his team is still looking for search for people, noting recovery efforts have not yet begun.

Officials detail response after after 'once-in-a-century flood'

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said he lives along the Guadalupe River: “Our properties were devastated.”

He saw body bags and seen firsthand the devastation from the floods. The judge added: “We know we get rains, we know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming.”

Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy called the disaster a “once-in-a-century flood.”

Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said his team refuses to quit searching until every missing person has been found: “We will not stop until we find every one of them.”

There are 1,300 additional personnel working on the response as well as 906 state assets, Kidd said.

Noem plans to visit Camp Mystic, she says at news conference

In 36 hours, more than 850 people have been rescued, the governor said.

Noem said she plans to visit Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River from where 27 girls have gone missing.

President Trump is 'heartbroken' by Texas floods, Noem says

“Know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what’s happened here in Texas,” Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said at Saturday afternoon press conference, noting the president is committed to using federal resources to help the state.

She called the disaster “unprecedented.”

“We will be relentless in going after and making sure we locate every single person who has been a victim of this flooding event,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. “We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow. We’ll stop when the job is completed.”

After signing a disaster declaration on Friday, the governor signed an expanded declaration to include additional counties impacted by the heavy rainfall and floods. Abbott also signed a request for federal assistance.

“That relief will be coming,” Noem said. She noted that Trump indicated he would accept the request.

In photos: The aftermath of the floods in Kerrville

A walkway is blocked by fallen trees following deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., on July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores (REUTERS)

A tree stands bent after deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores (REUTERS)

A playground sits damaged after deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores (REUTERS)

How the Texas Hill Country flood went from small water flow to deadly tide

A powerful flash flood hit Central Texas’ Hill Country late Friday into early Saturday, leaving at least 27 people dead, including children, while many more are still missing.

Most of the missing were attending Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River.

What began as a routine flood watch quickly turned into a deadly disaster. The National Weather Service predicted between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with some isolated spots possibly getting 5 to 7 inches. Instead, parts of Kerr County were slammed with 10 to 15 inches, and in some places, over 20 inches, within a few hours.

San Antonio Express-News newsroom meteorologist Anthony Franze said the storm was fueled by warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and leftovers from Tropical Storm Barry. These combined to create a slow-moving weather system that stayed over the area and dumped heavy rain over hills and valleys.

Erin Keller has the story.

Officials to provide updates on search and rescue efforts

State and federal officials will host a press conference at 2.45 p.m. local time “to update Texans on ongoing search & rescue efforts in counties affected by flooding,” according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s press office.

More rain is expected to hit south central Texas

A flash flood watch is now in effect for parts of Texas near Austin and San Antonio, the National Weather Service warned.

The rain is expected to pummel the same area that has been hit with lots of rain over the past 24 hours.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the agency warned.

Two others confirmed dead in Travis County, officials say

Two others have died and an additional 10 have been reported missing after floods ravaged the region, according to Travis County Emergency Services District 1.

One of the missing people is a 17-year-old girl, according to KXAN.

“We literally had homes that were washed away. We had people trapped in homes,” Travis County Fire Chief Donnie Norman told KXAN. Many of these residents were rescued, he added.

Officials have urged locals to resist the urge to join the search.

“Don’t become a statistic, please stay home,” Norman added.

Two more campers confirmed dead after catastrophic floods

The families of two girls who went missing after floods devastated Camp Mystic — Sarah Marsh and Lila Bonner — confirmed the tragic news.

Alabama Republican Senator Katie Boyd Britt issued a statement regarding Marsh’s passing. “Wesley and I are heartbroken over the loss of Sarah Marsh, and we are keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” she wrote Saturday afternoon.

“We continue to pray for the victims’ loved ones, the survivors, those who are still missing, and our brave first responders as search and rescue efforts continue in Texas.”

Bonner’s family sent a statement to CNN about their 9-year-old: “In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” the family said in a statement. “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”

WATCH: Texas flooding: North Texas girls missing

Flash floods form rapidly — here's why they're so dangerous

According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood is flooding that begins within six hours, and often in as little as three hours, of heavy rainfall.

Waters rise so quickly that people are caught off guard, according to the weather service.. Many people run into trouble while traveling. If at home or work, the water can rise so quickly people are trapped before they have time to think about escape.

That is just what happened to residents along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and the surrounding area after at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) poured from the sky early Friday morning.

Here’s the full story.

Texas AG sends prayers to families during time of 'unimaginable pain and suffering'

The state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement in the wake of the floods.

“This tragic unimaginable flood in the hill country has brought so much loss and devastation. This morning Texans are praying for these families. God be with them during this time of unimaginable pain and suffering,” he wrote in a social media post Saturday morning.

“I wanna thank all of the first responders and volunteers that are working around the clock. This is truly tragic situation. My office stands ready to assist in anyway we can for the victims of this tragic situation. Our hearts mourn with you.”

More than 850 people rescued as search efforts continue

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office announced that 850 uninjured people and eight injured people have been rescued after the floods devastated the region.

Tragically, 27 people —18 adults and nine children — died in the catastrophic floods. Six adults and one child are currently unidentified, according to the sheriff’s office in a Saturday morning statement.

“We are unable to release any further information on the deceased at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and their loved ones. We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and ensure they are safe,” the sheriff’s office said.

Officials are still searching for 27 missing children who attended Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River.

Other locals visiting the area could also be missing, but officials haven’t tried calculating that number, they said Saturday morning.

Mother reunites with Camp Mystic girl: 'We are so grateful'

Reunification efforts are underway after 27 people were killed in the catastrophic floods in Texas.

More than two dozen girls attending Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, are still missing.

Jenny MacLennan told the New York Times she’s “grateful” to be a parent who has been reunited with her 10-year-old daughter. The girl’s cabin was on high ground above the floods, she told the outlet.

“It’s completely devastating” that so many families haven’t reunited with their children, MacLennan said. “We were one of the ones that did, and we are so grateful.”

The Red Cross is assisting with reunification, according to the Kerr County sheriff’s office.

If you are missing someone during this emergency, please call 800.733.2767.

Flash floods pummel south-central Texas

Texas braces for more flash floods as rescue efforts are still underway for at least 27 missing girls.

South central Texas can expect additional flash floods near the Guadalupe River, which surged 29 feet in a matter of hours, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials urged locals to evacuate immediately or find higher ground if evacuation isn’t possible.

In photos: Devastation after flash floods ravaged parts of Texas

A downed sign is seen near a crossing of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Ingram. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (AP)

Debris sit on a bridge over the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Ingram. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (AP)

Kerrville mayor calls it a 'hard day' as death toll rises to 27

“Today will be a hard day. It will be a hard day,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said at a Saturday morning press conference.

At that news conference, officials announced the death toll rose to 27, with the lives of 18 adults and nine children taken by the flash floods.

He thanked federal resources for aiding the community. The mayor said people from all over the country and around the world have asked how they can help Kerrville. “Please pray for our community,” he said.