Central Texas has been hit by devastating flash floods, resulting in a confirmed death toll of at least 78 people, with another 41 still reported missing. Kerr County has been particularly affected, accounting for 68 of the fatalities, which tragically include 28 children. A significant portion of these casualties occurred at Camp Mystic, a riverside Christian girls' camp that was deluged by the rising waters. Ten girls and a counselor from the camp remain unaccounted for, and officials anticipate that the death toll is likely to increase as search efforts continue.

Three days after the initial inundation on Friday, the search-and-rescue operation, one of the largest in recent Texas history, has begun transitioning into a recovery effort. Rescuers face challenging conditions, including mud, debris, and venomous snakes, with more storms forecast for the next 24-48 hours. Of the victims recovered in Kerr County, 18 adults and 10 children have yet to be formally identified. Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited the affected area and vowed that authorities would "stop at nothing" to locate every missing person, describing the experience of the children as "nothing short of horrific."

Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp located on the banks of the Guadalupe River, was a major focal point of the disaster and suffered extensive damage. The catastrophe unfolded rapidly before daybreak on Friday when the Guadalupe River rose an astonishing 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes, catching most campers asleep. Among the deceased are several young campers and the camp's longtime director, Richard "Dick" Eastland. Greg Froelick, a former Navy Seal and volunteer with the rescue group 300 Justice, reported finding victims up to eight miles downriver from the camp's original location, with clothing and camp items scattered widely.

Beyond Camp Mystic, there is uncertainty regarding the number of other individuals who may have been camping in the area for the Fourth of July weekend and were subsequently swept away by the floods. The two-lane highway connecting Kerrville to Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River is now a scene of widespread devastation, featuring ravaged homes, fallen trees, displaced furniture, toppled fences, and downed utility lines.

In response to the disaster, President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance to Texas. He also announced plans to visit the state on Friday, expressing his deep concern over the "horrible thing that took place." On the ground, local residents have rallied to support relief efforts, collecting supplies, offering shelter, and assisting displaced neighbors. Alma Garcia, from San Antonio, delivered home-cooked meals to residents and volunteers, even giving her T-shirt to a wet resident. Similarly, local resident Perla collected clothes and shoes after her shift at Walmart to donate to a shelter, remarking that she had "never seen something like this before."

Expressions of sympathy and well wishes have also poured in from across the globe. In Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered special prayers for those affected in Texas. The pontiff extended his "sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were in summer camp, in the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas in the United States," concluding with a prayer for the victims. Angélica Casas and Alex Lederman contributed to this report.