HUNT, TEXAS - Flooding caused by torrential rains in the central Texas region has left at least 82 people dead, as confirmed by state authorities.
A sudden rise in the Guadalupe River, which rose more than eight meters in just 45 minutes, caught entire communities by surprise, with a particularly strong impact in Kerr County, where 68 of the fatalities are reported. Among the deceased are 28 minors.
One of the most devastating episodes took place at Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls located in Hunt, on the banks of the Guadalupe River.
The place, which housed around 750 girls aged between 8 and 17, was devastated by the sudden rise of the river. At least 27 people died in the camp, including several girls and counselors, among them the camp director.
Authorities confirmed the deaths of the eight-year-old girls Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck. Also deceased were Chloe Childress, a young counselor, and Dick Eastland, the camp director, who lost his life while helping evacuate the children.
The rescue operation carried out by the National Guard, the Coast Guard, and local teams allowed for the evacuation of more than 850 people trapped by the water. Search efforts are ongoing, and as of Sunday, at least eleven girls and one counselor were still missing.
President Donald Trump declared a major disaster area in the affected region, which allowed for the activation of federal resources, including FEMA personnel and logistical support for rescuers.
On the other hand, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, warned that weather conditions continue to be dangerous and the possibility of more rain and flooding in the coming days is not ruled out.
This Monday, the National Weather Service issued a level 3 out of 4 warning for the risk of rain and flooding in parts of central Texas, including Kerr County and the Guadalupe and Llano river basins. The threat remains active as the ground remains saturated and river levels continue to be high.
Scientists point out that global warming, driven by the pollution from fossil fuels, is making this type of extreme rain events increasingly frequent and dangerous.
The speed and intensity of the event have generated strong criticism about the lack of early warning systems in the area. Since 2018, Kerr County had requested funds to establish flood warning mechanisms, without success.
Experts have also warned that cuts to the National Weather Service and NOAA have affected the ability to anticipate extreme weather events.
The Camp Mystic case has deeply shaken the Texan community. The historic camp, founded over a century ago, represents a tradition for generations of families from the southern United States. Today, its legacy is marked by a tragedy that has mourned dozens of homes.
As recovery efforts continue, authorities are preparing to respond to a possible second wave of emergency. The priority, they have indicated, is to find the missing individuals and provide support to the victims’ families.
The magnitude of the loss is still being calculated, but it is already considered one of the worst natural disasters that Texas has faced in decades.