Texas Flood Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 78, Including 28 Children

KERRVILLE, TEXAS – July 7, 2025:
The death toll from devastating floods in Texas rose to 78 on Sunday, including 28 children, as emergency responders raced against time to find dozens still missing, particularly from a summer camp hit by the disaster.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 68 deaths occurred in his county—the epicenter of the catastrophe—while Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that an additional 10 fatalities were reported from other counties across the state.

“It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” Abbott said, referring to Camp Mystic, where 10 campers and a counselor remain missing.

Catastrophic River Overflow
The Guadalupe River broke its banks following torrential rainfall on July 4, inundating areas in central Texas. Over 850 people have been rescued, some clinging to trees amid 15 inches (38 cm) of rain. With the soil still saturated, officials warned of a potential second wall of floodwater in some areas.

Emotional Testimonies from the Ground
Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls’ summer camp, became a focal point of the disaster. Counselor Katharine Somerville shared her harrowing experience:

“Our cabins at the tippity top of hills were completely flooded. We never imagined this could happen,” she told Fox News.

Somerville said her group was rescued by military trucks, and while some girls were safe, the search continues for others.

Federal Response and Controversy
President Donald Trump offered condolences and announced plans to visit Texas on Friday. He declared a major disaster and activated FEMA and the Coast Guard for aid. However, questions surfaced about federal preparedness and staffing cuts to the National Weather Service under Trump’s administration.

Former NOAA Director Rick Spinrad warned that the agency’s understaffing could impact timely disaster warnings. Trump, when asked, deflected responsibility:

“That water situation… that was really the Biden setup,” he said, before later clarifying he did not blame his predecessor.

Widespread Impact
The flooding has devastated Burnet, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties, and many homes and roads remain submerged. Officials anticipate the death toll to rise as recovery efforts expand.

Local residents describe the scene as one of “complete devastation,” with mud-lined cabins, broken structures, and belongings destroyed.

“It’s a 100-year catastrophe,” Trump said Sunday.