Texas flooding: What happened, what went wrong and what’s the death toll?

 

Flash floods devastated parts of Texas over the weekend, killing at least 82 people and leaving many more missing. The flooding hit Texas Hill Countrya flood-prone region spanning central and southern Texasparticularly hard. Torrents of rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 9 metres (30 feet) in just two hours, submerging buildings and sweeping away entire neighborhoods.

The worst-affected area was Kerr County, where 68 deaths were confirmed, including 28 children. One of the most tragic scenes unfolded at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls located on the banks of the Guadalupe. When the floods struck early Friday morning, about 750 people were staying there. At least 23 are still missing from the camp alone.

The storm came during the long US Independence Day weekend, compounding the tragedy. Videos and drone footage showed homes under water and families clinging to rooftops. With search-and-rescue missions ongoing, the death toll is expected to rise. President Trump called it a “100-year catastrophe” and is expected to visit Texas soon.

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, has a long-standing presence in the state and was hosting its usual summer sessions when the disaster occurred. The event has drawn comparisons to a 1987 flood, which killed 10 teens at another summer camp in nearby Comfort, Texas.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed 41 people are still missing, while federal and state emergency crews continue operations with 17 helicopters and National Guard units on site. The tragedy has left families grieving, communities shattered, and officials scrambling for answers.

See also: Love Island USA Star Exits Villa Amid Racism Row

The floods were caused by torrential rains overwhelming the dry, compact ground in central Texas, an area nicknamed “flash flood alley.” Experts say the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River exceeded even past records, including the deadly 1987 flood. With rain still in the forecast, flood warnings remain in effect.

Despite the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a series of alertsfrom watches to rare flash flood emergenciesquestions are being raised about whether the response came too late or lacked the resources needed. Critics blame years of budget cuts and staff shortages at the NWS and NOAA, the agencies responsible for tracking and forecasting severe weather.

The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reduced funding and staffing, with nearly 600 NWS positions lost. This left local offices in Austin, San Antonio, and San Angelo understaffed at a time of high risk. Lawmakers like Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) argue that the staffing gaps directly affected the government’s ability to provide early, accurate warnings.

President Trump defended the agencies, stating, “Nobody expected it. Nobody saw it,” and described the flood as a one-in-a-century event. However, past data shows that the Guadalupe River has flooded multiple times in recent decades, raising concerns about preparedness.

The government has since activated full-scale rescue and recovery efforts, including helicopters, search teams, and support from the Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Kristi Noem pledged that federal resources are fully mobilized.

As residents clean up, mourn, and wait for updates on the missing, the focus now turns to climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and whether this tragedy could have been mitigated with better planning and resources. Floodwaters may recede, but the political and emotional fallout is only beginning.