Death toll hits 78 in Texas floods Trump Plans visit

At least 78 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods that have swept across Texas, with authorities confirming that 28 of the victims were children. The crisis deepened Sunday as the search entered its third day for 11 individuals still missing from a summer camp in Kerr County, the hardest-hit area.Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that 68 of the fatalities occurred in his county alone, located in the Texas Hill Country. Among the dead were 10 campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls’ camp along the Guadalupe River. “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a press briefing after touring the flood-ravaged area.
Another 10 deaths were reported in surrounding counties, including Burnet, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson, according to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Officials warned that the toll is likely to rise in the coming days, with 41 people still unaccounted for as of Sunday afternoon.The flooding began after torrential rainfall—up to 15 inches (38 cm)—fell across central Texas on Friday, July 4, causing the Guadalupe River to overflow and triggering widespread flash floods. Over 850 people have been rescued so far, some found clinging to trees as floodwaters surged through towns and campsites.
Emergency officials are now concerned about further flooding as additional rain continues to fall on already saturated ground. TDEM Chief Nim Kidd said aircraft had been deployed to scout the area and monitor possible new flood surges. Unconfirmed reports suggested that another "wall of water" may be forming along tributaries in the Guadalupe River basin.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and said he would likely visit the flood zone on Friday. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he called the situation “absolutely horrible” and praised the ongoing rescue efforts. “God bless all of the people that have gone through so much, and God bless the state of Texas,” he said.
In response to the disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been activated, and the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that federal resources are being deployed to assist state and local emergency responders. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and reconnaissance planes are also supporting the search-and-rescue operations.
Freeman Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the situation remains critical: “You will see the death toll rise today and tomorrow. We’re doing everything we can to locate the missing and protect those still in harm’s way.”