A devastating flash flood in central Texas has claimed the lives of 43 people, including 15 children, officials confirmed Saturday. The disaster unfolded early Friday morning, with Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirming the grim toll in an emotional press briefing.
“We have recovered 43 deceased individuals in Kerr County. Among them, 28 are adults and 15 are children,” said Sheriff Leitha.
Rescue teams are still searching for missing persons, with a particular focus on a group of girls from a summer camp who remain unaccounted for. Emergency crews have been working tirelessly, deploying helicopters, rescue boats, and drones to locate survivors and navigate the debris-strewn flood zones.
Unprecedented Flood Surge
The floods were triggered by intense rainfall near San Antonio, causing the Guadalupe River to swell by 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes, just before sunrise on Friday. The deluge overwhelmed communities, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and campers.
Scenes across Kerr County remain harrowing: uprooted trees, overturned cars, and thick layers of mud and debris line once-tranquil riverbanks.
The National Weather Service has kept flash flood warnings in place as rain continues across already-saturated regions, increasing the risk of further landslides and washouts.
Search and Rescue Operations Intensify
Local and federal agencies are coordinating to support the ongoing recovery.
“We’re doing everything in our power to locate the missing. This is one of the most tragic events this county has faced,” said a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
So far, dozens of survivors have been rescued from treetops, rooftops, and isolated campsites. Emergency shelters have been set up in San Antonio, Kerrville, and surrounding towns to house displaced residents.
Nation Reacts
The disaster has prompted widespread grief and concern across the country.
President Joe Biden offered condolences in a Saturday statement and confirmed that federal disaster assistance would be made available to affected counties.
“We mourn the loss of lives—especially the young ones—and we stand with the families and rescue personnel responding to this tragedy,” the President said.
Ongoing Risk
Meteorologists warn that more storms are likely in the coming days, and residents in flood-prone areas are urged to remain on high alert.
As rescue operations continue and the community reels from the scale of destruction, the tragedy in central Texas serves as a chilling reminder of the increasing threat of climate-fueled extreme weather events.
