Texas Flash Floods Claim 105 Lives, Including 28 Children; Camp Mystic Tragedy Deepens

The catastrophic flash floods that hit Central Texas on July 4 have resulted in a tragic toll of at least 105 lives lost, with officials reporting 84 fatalities in Kerr County, among which are 28 children. Several young individuals were present at Camp Mystic, a renowned all-girls summer camp situated by the Guadalupe River. As of Tuesday, the situation remains critical, with 10 campers and one counselor still unaccounted for, prompting continued search efforts.

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Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County reported that most of the fatalities happened when the Guadalupe River surged by 26 feet in under an hour, a result of intense and unforeseen rainfall. The identification process for 22 adults and 10 children remains ongoing. Further fatalities have been reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Williamson, and Tom Green counties.

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Officials at Camp Mystic expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of 27 campers and counselors in a public statement, describing the event as “unimaginable.” Families remain in suspense as they await updates on the missing while search teams, aided by helicopters, drones, and rescue dogs, scour the ravaged regions along the river.

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During a press conference, Sen. Ted Cruz characterized the flooding as “every parent’s nightmare,” acknowledging that, with hindsight, earlier evacuations of camps might have prevented loss of life. “Texas will overcome this challenge,” Cruz stated. Kerrville officials emphasized the importance of coming together and showing kindness, encouraging residents to contribute to recovery initiatives via local groups such as the Salvation Army.

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As recovery efforts continue, authorities caution that the numbers could increase even more.

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