People swept up in ‘extraordinary catastrophe’, Texas governor says
At a news conference in Austin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott says that “so many people have been swept into an extraordinary catastrophe” following the floods.
He says a meeting with officials has taken place at a local level, and there’s a collaborative effort to address concerns “as quickly as possible”.
“We remain in a search and rescue posture right now,” he adds.
“We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset, and person and plane, and whatever is needed is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person,” he says.
Abbott then goes on to sign a disaster declaration.
‘An unimaginable tragedy’ – Donald Trump
We’re now hearing from US President Donald Trump who says he has signed a “Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need”.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social he says the families of the dead and missing are “enduring an unimaginable tragedy”.
Trump reiterates that his administration continues to work closely with state and local Leaders.
He adds that “Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State”.
“Our incredible U.S. Coast Guard, together with State First Responders, have saved more than 850 lives,” he says, ending the message with: “GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”
Why weren’t people evacuated ahead of the floods?
As city officials take questions from the press, City Manager Dalton Rice is asked why people weren’t evacuated ahead of the flash floods.
Rice repeats that the focus is on reuniting families.
“Until we can get them reunited families, we are not going to stop,” he says, before walking away and leaving the room.
While he walks away, press shout numerous questions about whether there were any warnings, with one reporter shouting “there are families who deserve better than that”.
‘Our goal is to rescue those in peril’ – Kerrville mayor
Kerrville Mayor Don Herring Junior is up next at the news conference. He says the entire Kerrville city council is on site.
“Our goal is to rescue those in peril and find those who are lost,” he tells the news conference.
He adds that if you want to donate and help families affected, you can visit
If you want to donate to help, you can visit the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
“Our community, our state and the world have been responding,” he says, thanking them.
City manager warns people not to fly their own drones in search area
City Manager Dalton Rice says everyone in the community is hurting.
Rice notes that there are an increased number of personnel navigating challenging shores along the bank line to find people.
He asks people to stop flying personal drones in the area since they are a danger to aircrafts and endanger operations.
Thirty-eight adults and 21 children killed – Kerr County sheriff
Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha, speaking at a news conference, says among the 59 dead are 38 adults and 21 children.
He says the numbers will continue to change and increase as time goes on, but the search and rescue operations continue.
Over 400 first responders from more than 20 agencies are working in Kerr County, he says.
He says there are 11 Camp Mystic campers unaccounted for, as well as one camp councillor.
Dallas sisters who were visiting grandparents killed in flash floods
Sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were among the dozens of lives lost in the catastrophic floods.
The two were not attending Camp Mystic but were in the central Texas visiting a relative. Their deaths were confirmed on Saturday by St. Rita Catholic Community.
The girls were staying with their grandparents – who remain unaccounted for – along the Guadalupe River, according to the church.
Their parents were in a separate cabin and were not harmed, the BBC’s US partner CBS News, external reported.
‘I lost everything I own’: Houses flooded with river water
The floor of Anthony’s apartment in Kerrville is full of mud and debris as we follow him inside.
His refrigerator is fallen on the floor, his bed has been moved and most of his belongings are not salvageable, except a box holding childhood photos and his baby blanket.
He leans down to grab a coffee machine pot that’s on the floor filled with river water.
“I lost everything I own,” he tells us.
He had been in Houston visiting his mum’s grave when the flooding hit, destroying many of the buildings in his apartment complex and moving one unit completely across a street.
He woke up Friday to photos of his flooded apartment building on the internet and rushed back to town.
We first met him leaving a Red Cross shelter where he was able to eat and get assistance on how to contact aid organisations. He says he has no family in the area.
“Now I’m trying to figure things out.”
Deaths recorded in five counties
Lieutenant Governor Dan Partrick says the flash floods death toll has risen to 59 in Kerr County.
We’re still waiting on more information from authorities, but here’s what we know so far:
- 59 of those killed were in Kerr County, its Sherriff Larry Leitha has confirmed
- At least four deaths have been confirmed in Travis County, according to spokesperson Hector Nieto
- Two people were killed in Burnet County according to an emergency management coordinator for the county
- One person has been confirmed dead in Tom Green County, the San Angelo Police Department has confirmed
- Another person was killed in Kendall County
Rescue efforts are ongoing and the total number of missing people remains unclear.
Officials confirmed yesterday, though, that 27 girls who were staying at Camp Mystic have yet to be located.
At least 59 dead in flash floods in Texas, governor says
The death toll after flash flooding hit Texas has risen to 59, according to the county’s Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, up from 51.
“We’re now up to 59,” he tells Fox News this morning. “We expect that to go higher sadly.”
The last 24 hours in central Texas, in pictures
US weather service warns of more rain in central Texas
The flash flooding began on Thursday night into Friday morning – the start of the 4 July holiday weekend.
Officials have said that the equivalent of a months’ worth of rain fell in a matter of hours.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that more rain is forecast for the central Texas area and that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations”.
“A Flood Watch is in effect,” NWS San Antonio / Austin says on X.
Who are the flooding victims?
Here are the names of some of the children who were confirmed to have died after flash floods hit Camp Mystic:
Renee Smajstrla, eight, was at the camp when flooding struck, according to her uncle.
“Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” Shawn Salta said on Facebook.
Sarah Marsh,eight,had been reported missing before her grandmother shared online that she was among the girls killed.
“We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful ray of light in our lives. She will live on in our hearts forever!” she said.
Janie Hunt, nine, had attended the camp with her six of her cousins, who were later confirmed safe by Janie’s grandmother.
Lila Bonner, also nine, was found dead after the flooding.
“In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” her family said in a statement to NBC news.
What we know about Camp Mystic
Twenty-seven children remain missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian youth camp for girls located along the River Guadalupe.
What do we know about the camp?
- It’s been operated by generations of the same family since the 1930s
- The camp’s website bills itself asa place for girls to grow “spiritually” in a “wholesome” Christian atmosphere “to develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem”
- Some of the girls who are reported missing were in low-lying cabins – less than 500 feet from the river bank, according to the New York Times
What has Camp Mystic said since the floods?
- In an email to parents of the roughly 750 campers, Camp Mystic said that if they haven’t been contacted directly, their child is accounted for
- The camp said it was assisting with search-and-rescue operations, but that it did not have power, water or Wi-Fi
- They said that they are struggling to get more help because a nearby highway had washed away, the New York Times says
How key figures have reacted
As the search continues for the missing, the president and officials in the US have been reacting to the deadly flash floods in Texas.
US President Donald Trump has not spoken yet today, but yesterday he said his administration is working with official on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that “the number one priority is people” and promised more helicopters to assist with rescue operations.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott assured worried relatives that his teams will only stop when the job is completed.
We’ve also been hearing reaction from key international figures:
Pope Leo XIV – who was born in America – has posted on social media, expressing his “sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent his condolences to Trump, and said he hopes “those who have gone missing, including children from a summer camp, will be returned to safety as soon as possible”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to learn about the loss of lives in Texas.
Drone footage captures scale of flooding in Georgetown, Texas
Raging floodwaters have surged through central Texas.
Drone footage shows water rushing through Georgetown, Texas – about 28 miles (45km) outside of Austin.
The video below shows the San Gabriel River bursting its banks and surging high along treetops.
SOURCE:BBC NEWS
