The devastating Texas floods have left at least 43 people dead, including 15 children, and 27 more remain missing as torrential rain triggered catastrophic flash flooding across multiple counties.

Governor Greg Abbott issued a state of emergency on July 5. He also confirmed that over 850 people have been rescued in just 36 hours from rising waters, fallen trees, and submerged homes.

“So many people have been swept up into an extraordinary catastrophe,” Gov. Abbott said at a press conference, urging prayers for the affected communities.

Guadalupe River Overflows, Summer Campers Missing

The flooding began after relentless rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to overflow, sweeping through Kerr County and nearby areas. Among the missing were 23 campers from Camp Mystic. A number of children from the camp remain missing.

“My instruction to every state official is to assume everybody who is missing is alive… every minute counts,” Abbott stressed.

Officials confirmed 43 deaths in Kerr County alone, including 28 adults and 15 children. The tragic toll is expected to grow, as the missing are found and all the bodies are identified.

Emergency Response and Expanded Disaster Declaration

Abbott signed an expanded disaster declaration, adding Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis, and Williamson counties to the list of flood-impacted areas. He also submitted a request for a federal emergency declaration.

“We will be relentless in ensuring we locate every single person,” Abbott said. “We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow. We will stop when the job is completed.”

Flash Flood Threat Continues

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for much of central Texas, including Burnet, Williamson, and Travis Counties. Some areas received up to 12 inches of rain, resulting in numerous road closures and infrastructure damage.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly responded to questions about delayed evacuations, saying, “We didn’t know this flood was coming. We had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here—none whatsoever.”

As the floodwaters slowly recede, recovery efforts continue under the threat of further rain.

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