By Jamillah Kemigisa
At least 67 people, including 21 children, have been confirmed dead after catastrophic flash floods swept through central Texas over the weekend, marking one of the deadliest natural disasters in the state’s recent history.
Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a popular girls’ summer retreat nestled along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The camp was engulfed by a violent wall of water early Friday morning, leaving 11 girls and one counselor still missing as rescue operations continue under treacherous conditions.
According to local officials, the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, fueled by torrential rainfall that dumped up to 15 inches in some regions. The unprecedented speed and force of the floodwaters caught many off guard, despite earlier flash flood warnings.
“This is a heartbreaking day for Texas,” said Governor Greg Abbott in a statement Sunday. “Our prayers are with the families affected, and we will do everything possible to find those still missing and support those grieving this terrible loss.”
Over 200 emergency personnel, including specialized rescue teams and search dogs, have been deployed in an urgent effort to locate the missing and assist stranded residents. The American Red Cross has mobilized to provide temporary shelters, food, and crisis counseling for the traumatized families.
Search crews have been working around the clock, despite continued rainfall and unstable terrain, combing debris-filled riverbanks and wooded areas for signs of life.
A Disaster Of Historic Scale
Local residents and meteorologists are calling the event the “Flood of the Century.” Entire neighborhoods were inundated within minutes, roads vanished beneath torrents of brown water, and vehicles were swept away like toys.
“In all my years here, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said one longtime Kerrville resident. “The water came with no mercy.”
With the death toll still rising, officials are bracing for the possibility of more grim discoveries. The full extent of property damage is still being assessed, but early estimates suggest millions of dollars in losses across multiple counties.
State and local officials have pledged to conduct a thorough review of flood preparedness protocols, early warning systems, and infrastructure vulnerabilities in the wake of the tragedy.
“We must ensure this never happens again,” said Kerr County Judge Lucy Chambers, who has declared a state of emergency.
President Biden has been briefed on the situation and is expected to offer federal assistance once the scope of the disaster is fully established.
As families mourn loved ones and communities begin the long, painful road to recovery, one thing remains clear: Central Texas will never forget the weekend the rivers roared.
