**Texas Flooding Claims 82 Lives as Search for Missing Continues**
The central region of Texas remains on high alert as devastating floods over the weekend have claimed at least 82 lives, with authorities warning that the number is expected to climb further. The catastrophic deluge has left communities reeling in the aftermath, particularly in Kerr County, which has suffered widespread destruction. With 41 people still unaccounted for, officials are continuing urgent rescue and recovery operations, bracing themselves for the likelihood of further tragedy.
The severe flooding has prompted hundreds of local residents to begin the grim process of picking through mud, debris, and damaged homes. Among the stories emerging from Kerrville and the surrounding area is that of Reagan Brown’s elderly parents, both in their eighties. Facing rapidly rising water in their home in Hunt, the couple managed to escape to higher ground. Their ordeal didn’t end there; learning that a 92-year-old neighbour was trapped in her attic, they went back to mount a perilous rescue, eventually finding shelter with others in a toolshed on higher ground.
Further complicating recovery efforts, floodwaters have rendered roads inaccessible and brought additional hazards, such as displaced snakes and debris. Search teams pressed on, methodically combing treacherous, waterlogged landscapes. Among those still missing are ten girls and a counsellor from Camp Mystic, a local summer camp that suffered significant damage amid the storms.
According to Governor Greg Abbott, the state of Texas is bracing for the possibility that more individuals may be missing than presently reported. In the state’s Hill Country region, an area renowned for a cluster of popular summer retreats, at least 68 victims have been found—tragically, 28 of them children—according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. Meanwhile, other fatalities have been confirmed across Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson counties.
Weather forecasts are providing little reprieve, with further bouts of intense rainfall predicted to last into Tuesday. With the ground already saturated, emergency officials are warning that new flooding episodes could develop swiftly, endangering both rescuers and residents still navigating the ruins of their homes. Heavy equipment has been deployed to clear debris, but progress remains slow in the face of formidable conditions.
Recovery efforts have taken a deeply personal turn for many families. On Sunday, those with loved ones at Camp Mystic were permitted to search what remained of the grounds. Heartbreak was evident as parents took away whatever possessions they could find, some clutching personal items amid tears and uncertainty. The grim atmosphere was only compounded by the knowledge that, with each passing hour, hopes of finding additional survivors were diminishing.
Despite official guidance to stay away, teams of volunteers joined relatives of the missing in combing disaster areas, raising frustration and questions about the sufficiency of the emergency warning system. With the region’s long history of flooding, scrutiny is mounting over whether enough preparations or preventative action had been taken in advance of this most recent disaster.
The federal government responded to the unfolding crisis on Sunday, with President Donald Trump signing a major disaster declaration for Kerr County. The President indicated plans to visit the battered region later in the week, emphasising the scale of the loss and the ongoing need for coordinated response.
Governor Abbott has reassured the public that search and rescue efforts will continue around the clock, with new zones being prioritised as waters subside. He designated Sunday as a state day of prayer, inviting all Texans to unite in hope and remembrance as the long process of recovery begins.
As the full extent of the devastation continues to emerge, Texas finds itself grappling not just with immediate loss, but with urgent questions about preparedness, climate resilience, and community support in the aftermath of this deadly flooding event. The coming days are expected to test the resolve of both survivors and those still desperately waiting for news of missing loved ones.