Residents across central Texas observed a day of prayer on Sunday as the death toll from Friday’s catastrophic flash floods rose to at least 82, with dozens still missing and search efforts shifting from rescue to recovery.
Authorities confirmed that the sudden flooding, triggered by torrential pre-dawn rain, caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet (8 metres) in just 45 minutes, devastating riverside communities and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Particularly hard-hit was Camp Mystic, an exclusive summer camp for girls located along the river. Ten girls and one camp counsellor remain unaccounted for, heightening fears as the search enters its third day.
Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County announced on Sunday that 68 people have been confirmed dead in the area, including 28 children. A further 10 fatalities were reported in neighbouring counties, bringing the confirmed statewide total to 82. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 41 individuals were still officially missing.
“We are seeing bodies recovered all over, up and down,” Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice told reporters during a press briefing.
850 persons rescued after flood
Approximately 850 people have been rescued, with over 400 personnel, using boats, helicopters, and drones, actively involved in ongoing operations. However, continued rainfall over the weekend has hampered progress.
“The height the rushing water reached, to the top of cabins, was shocking,” Governor Abbott wrote on X (formerly Twitter), following a tour of the devastated camp. “We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.”
