Texas flooding latest: At least 82 dead and 10 girls still missing as officials prepare for ‘wall of water’ storm

Key Points

• Death toll rises to at least 82 with dozens still missing
• At least 21 children are deceased
• Witness accounts lay bare horror of the floods
• Mapped: Where was hit by the deadly flooding?

Former Camp Mystic camper is now covering the flood aftermath

CNN anchor Pamela Brown attended Camp Mystic 30 years ago — now she’s covering the tragedy.

“That river was the source of so much joy and fun for us,” Brown said on the job.

“To think that that same river is the source of this devastation,” she added. “It’s just hard to wrap my head around.”

Updated death toll

The Associated Press has reported that 82 people have now died after flash floods in central Texas.

10 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic remains missing.

Everything we know about Texas flooding victims

The identities of the 79 flood victims are still being determined and released to the public. Here’s what we know about the victims so far.

Ariana Baio and Katie Hawkinson have the story.

First responders survey rising flood waters of the Guadalupe River after flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S. July 4, 2025 in a still image from video. ABC Affiliate KSAT via REUTERS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY (via REUTERS)

Officials inspect an area at Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (AP)

WATCH: Pope Leo offers prayers and condolences to victims of Texas floods

The latest from Kerr County

Search and rescue operations, according to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.

The crews include “hundreds of officers, deputies, and support staff working every aspect of this emergency, along with air, water, K9, and other assets conducting search and rescue,” the office said.

As of Sunday early afternoon, the sheriff’s office said it had recovered 68 deceased in Kerr County: 40 adults and 28 children. Eighteen adults are pending identification, and 10 children also pending identification, the office said.

Ten Camp Mystic campers and one counselor are still missing. “We continue to offer our condolences to those affected, and we are working tirelessly to reunite families,” the sheriff’s office said.

WATCH: Timelapse video shows Texas flash floods turn dry river into deadly rapids in 20 minutes

Central Texas braces for more rainfall after devastating floods

The San Antonio area is now bracing for more heavy rainfall.

“Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are possible with isolated pockets of 10 inches somewhere in the watch area. It is very difficult to pinpoint where exactly the isolated heavy amounts will occur in this pattern,” according to the National Weather Service.

Earlier in the day, Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, warned of a potential “wall of water” heading to the area.

He warned: “Because the ground is already saturated, any rain that falls can be perceived as life-threatening rain.”

President Trump plans to visit Texas 'probably' on Friday

The president said he plans to visit Texas “probably on Friday.”

Asked about visiting the flood-ravaged state, Trump told reporters on Sunday: “Probably on Friday. We wanted to leave a little time. I would have done it today, but we'd just be in their way.”

Earlier on Sunday, the president announced he had signed a major disaster declaration for the state. “These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” he wrote on Truth Social Sunday morning.

Flood survivor says he clung to a meter box

Christian Fell, 25, was staying at his grandmother’s home in Hunt when flood waters began quickly rushing in early Friday morning, forcing him to flee through a broken window and cling to a meter box for several hours.

Fell told NBC News that he awoke around 3:00 a.m. local time to water filling the home. In the five minutes Fell took to look around the home for a way out, flood waters from the Guadalupe River had reached his waist. Fell is six feet tall.

“I had to go underwater and swim through the broken window,” Fell explained.

After swimming out, Fell stood on top of a narrow meter box for several hours, waiting for the water to recede while trying to avoid touching electrical wires.

Trump does not rule out phasing out FEMA despite using them for Texas floods

While speaking with reporters in New Jersey on Sunday, President Donald Trump said the conversation about phasing out FEMA would continue “later” despite utilizing the federal program to assist Texas.

“Are you still planning to phase out FEMA?” A reporter asked.

“FEMA is something we can talk about later,” Trump responded. “But right now they’re busy working, so we’ll leave it at that.”

Trump has said he wants to get rid of FEMA after this hurricane season, believing states should be responsible for responding to disasters.

At least 41 people still missing

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said around 41 people were still missing, as search and rescue missions continue in the area where floods destroyed entire homes.

“Across the state, in all the areas affected by flooding, there are 41 known missing,” Abbott said on Sunday afternoon.

At least 11 of those people are young girls who were at Camp Mystic.

Death toll reaches 79

At least 79 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the catastrophic floods in Central Texas, officials said on Sunday afternoon.

Of those deaths, 68 are in Kerr County, four are in Travis County, two in Kendall County, three in Burnet County, one in Williamson County, and one in Tom Green County.

More than $32k raised for family who lost daughters in flood

More than $32,000 has been donated to the Harber family, who suffered a devastating loss when their 13-year-old and 11-year-old children were killed in the catastrophic floods.

Brooke, 13, and Blair, 11, were staying at their grandparents' house in Hunt, Texas, on Friday evening when the rushing waters flooded homes in the neighborhood around 3:30 a.m., Jennifer Harber, the aunt of the two young girls, said in a GoFundMe.

By the time the girls’ parents, who were in a house up the street, realized the direness of the situation, they had to evacuate to safety, unable to reach the two young girls and their grandparents.

Jennifer said Brooke texted family members saying, “I love you,” around 3:30 a.m.

The family is still looking for the grandparents, Mike and Charlene Harber.

Search and rescue look through flooding debris for survivors

Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding (Getty Images)

People assisting with search and rescue missions look through debris left from floodwaters (Getty Images)

Texas Governor warns people to avoid areas as more rain is expected

During a press conference on Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned people to stay off lakes and stay out of unfamiliar areas that could potentially face additional flash flooding on Sunday or Monday.

Abbott said people, “need to realize, for one, you’re in an area with land is already saturated, saturated with water. But for another, that when more water comes down, it could lead to rapid flash flooding events.”

National Weather Service sent out flood warnings hours in advance

Meteorologists are pushing back on any allegations or assumptions that the National Weather Service did not inform residents of the impending flash floods in Central Texas over the weekend.

Hours before intense storms dumped rain on the region, the NWS sent out a series of warnings about flash floods – a common occurrence in the area.

An initial flood watch was sent around 1:18 p.m. local time on Thursday.

That was raised to a flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. local time on Friday when storms suddenly engorged the Guadalupe River to a level that has not been seen in years.

Around 5:20 a.m., the NWS declared a flash flood emergency, warning of a dangerous situation.

While there were some staffing shortages at the NWS offices in San Antonio and San Angelo, both offices were equipped with enough staff to cover the storms. Additionally, the office in New Braunfels had extra staff on duty for the storms.

Central Texas sees more rain as rescue efforts continue

As volunteers and officials continue searching for missing individuals, including the 11 girls from Camp Mystic, the Central Texas region is seeing some more rain in the form of scattered thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service has maintained its flood watch advisory and warned that the region could see another two to four inches of rain – though it’s unclear where the rain may fall at the moment.

“It’s hard to say if it’s going to get into Kerr County,” Bob Fogarty, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told the New York Times.

“It might stay further west and stay away from the Guadalupe Basin. It’s just a question of where the rain falls.”

Death toll rises to 70

The death toll from the devastating Texas floods has reached 70 people, according to reports.

At least 21 of those deceased are children.

Hundreds of volunteers search for missing individuals

Hundreds of people in the area impacted by the floods have set out to try and find any survivors of the floods, as the water begins to retreat.

Groups of people scoured the riverbanks of the Guadalupe River on Sunday, seeing if they could find any individuals.

The likelihood of finding survivors decreases every hour that passes, but volunteers are still looking, even to just give family members some closure.

Robert Modgling, a 55-year-old plumber in Hunt, Texas, told the New York Times that he discovered the body of a young girl pinned to a tree.

George W. Bush offers condolences

Former president George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush released a statement sending condolences to the victims of the Texas floods.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of life and the agony so many are feeling. Those who have lost their precious children are facing a grief no parents should ever know. We are grateful to the first responders and volunteers who are working to find the missing and comfort the grieving at Camp Mystic and along the Guadalupe,” Bush said.

“We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will."

Watch: Pope Leo offers prayers to victims of Texas floods

Officials still unsure why camps weren't evacuated

Officials in Kerrville, Texas, could not provide an answer as to why the summer camps located along the Guadalupe River were not evacuated ahead of the storm.

While weather offices in the surrounding area did issue warnings about the impending storm and potential flash flooding, they were unable to predict the size and scale of the unprecedented flooding.

National Weather Service offices did issue flood warnings as the water level rose and rain continued to pour down.

But when asked why those camps did not evacuate at that point, Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said, “That, that is a great question.”

Rice said they were focused on finding the 11 missing campers and one missing counselor from Camp Mystic first.

National Weather Service offices were understaffed ahead of heavy rains: report

The National Weather Service offices in San Angelo and San Antonio, which cover the areas hit by devastating flash floods over the weekend, were facing staffing shortages ahead of the storms that caused the tragic floods.

The San Angelo office did not have a senior hydrologist, staff forecaster, or meteorologist in charge, Tom Fahy, the legislative director for the union that represents Weather Service workers, told the New York Times

The San Antonio office was missing a warning coordination meteorologist and science officers – positions that typically coordinate with local emergency management to plan for floods.

While some of those positions may have been vacant already, the warning coordination meteorologist had taken an early retirement package offered by the Trump administration.

The weather offices issued flash flood warnings to residents in the area on Thursday evening, but it’s unclear what actions people took to evacuate or notify people to get to higher ground.

In photos: Search continues for missing people

A U.S. Border Patrol officer searches through debris after massive flooding along the Guadalupe River on July 6 (Getty Images)

A large truck is impaled onto a tree after flash flooding on the bank Guadalupe River on July 5, 2025 in Center Point, Texas (Getty Images)

A volunteer looks for missing people, following severe flash flooding that occured during the July 4 holiday weekend, in Hunt, Texas (AFP via Getty Images)

Death toll climbs to 67 across Central Texas

At least 67 people have died in Central Texas due to the devastating floods over the weekend, with a majority of those deaths occurring in Kerr County.

At least 59 people have died in Kerr County.

Four people were confirmed dead in Travis County.

Three people died in Burnet County.

One person was reported dead in Kendall County.

Eleven campers, one counselor missing from Camp Mystic

Rescuers are still searching for 11 campers and one counselor who are missing from Camp Mystic, the all-girls camp located near the Guadalupe River.

At least 21 children are deceased

Of the 59 people who have died in the floods, 21 of them are children, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Sunday.

Trump says he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas, which endured tragic flooding over the weekend and losses of life.

“I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need,” Trump said.

“These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing.”

Despite railing against the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides federal resources to state and local officials, Trump is using his power to activate FEMA.

When a major disaster declaration is made, states can access federal funding and resources to help with cleanup, rebuilding efforts, and assistance to those affected.

Pope Leo offers condolences and prayers to victims of Texas floods

Pope Leo XIV gave condolences to families who have lost loved ones in the devastating Texas floods on Sunday, speaking in English from the Vatican.

“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were at summer camp, in the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas,” Pope Leo said.

Pope Leo offers condolences to victims of the Texas floods (AP)

Death toll rises to 59

At least 59 people have died as a result of the devastating floods that ravaged Central Texas over the weekend, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said.

That death toll is expected to rise.

Watch: Rescuers search around Camp Mystic for survivors of Texas flash floods

Flood watches and warnings issued for central Texas

Parts of central Texas, from San Angelo to Austin, are under flood watch as more storms are expected to drop several inches of rain.

The National Weather Service has issued watches and warnings for the vast majority of central Texas on Sunday. It comes after unexpected heavy rains caused major flooding on Friday.

Parts of Texas are expected to see anywhere from one to three inches of rain per hour or more.

A drone view shows an area flooded by the swollen San Gabriel river, in Georgetown, Texas (Adam Grumbo via REUTERS)

The flash flooding was caused by torrential rain (Adam Grumbo via REUTERS)

At least 51 people have been killed (Adam Grumbo via REUTERS)

Sunday declared 'day of prayer' for Texas state

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared Sunday a “day of prayer” for Texas state as they mourn the loss of dozens of people in the catastrophic flash floods.

Authorities will work around the clock, Abbott vowed, adding that new areas were being searched as the water receded.

"I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines," he said in a statement.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, center, speaks to media during a press conference as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Helicopters and drones used in frantic search

Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice on Saturday gave an update on the status of the rescue efforts.

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.

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

Here’s what we know about the victims: