Texas Floods Claim 67 Lives, Including 21 Children

The death toll from catastrophic floods in Texas has reached at least 67, including 21 children, as the search for missing individuals continues. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains over the Fourth of July weekend, has left communities in central Texas reeling from the devastation.

According to Larry Leitha, the Kerr County Sheriff, the epicenter of the flooding, the death toll in his county alone has reached 59, including the 21 children. Among the missing are 11 girls and a counselor from a summer camp near the Guadalupe River, which overflowed its banks after the heavy rainfall. The summer camp, Camp Mystic, is a nearly century-old Christian camp that was home to 700 girls at the time of the disaster.

Travis County officials reported four deaths and 13 missing persons, while Kendall County and Burnet County each reported additional fatalities. In Tom Green County, a woman was found dead in her submerged car in San Angelo. Leitha also mentioned that 18 adults and four children in Kerr County are still pending identification, though it remains unclear if these individuals are included in the 59 death toll.

Over 850 people have been rescued so far, including some who were clinging to trees during the storm. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Kerr County, but experts have raised concerns about the accuracy of the forecasts and the adequacy of warnings issued before the storm. The Trump administration has overseen significant cuts to the National Weather Service's parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has left many weather offices understaffed.

Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad expressed concerns that these staff reductions could degrade the agency's ability to deliver accurate and timely forecasts. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged that the flood watch issued on Thursday did not accurately predict the extreme rainfall and stated that the administration is working to upgrade the system. However, the White House has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro warned that fewer personnel at the weather service could be dangerous, especially during flash flooding events. "When you have flash flooding, there's a risk that if you don't have the personnel... to do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, it could lead to tragedy," Castro said.

At Camp Mystic, the devastation is evident. Katharine Somerville, a counselor at the camp, described the scene as "complete devastation." Mud lines inside cabins showed how high the water had risen, and personal belongings were scattered and caked with mud. Some buildings had broken windows, and one had a missing wall. Somerville praised longtime camp director Richard "Dick" Eastland, who reportedly died while trying to save girls at the camp.

More rain is expected in the area, and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Kerr County until 1pm local time. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been activated to deploy resources to first responders, following a major disaster declaration by President Donald Trump. United States Coast Guard helicopters and planes are also assisting in search and rescue efforts.

As the community grapples with the loss and devastation, the focus remains on finding the missing and providing support to those affected. The tragedy has sparked a broader conversation about the role of federal agencies in disaster response and the potential consequences of budget cuts and staff reductions.