06.07.2025 16:20
At least 59 fatalities, a tragic number including 21 children, have been confirmed in the aftermath of devastating flash floods in central Texas. This grim toll, released by officials, is expected to climb further, as dozens of children from a summer camp remain missing. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny regarding emergency preparedness and the efficacy of early warning systems for residents.
Rescue efforts are underway, focusing on locating eleven campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp situated precariously along the Guadalupe River's banks. The scale of the rescue operation is immense, involving the Coast Guard and over 1,000 first responders from various Texas state agencies. These teams have already successfully rescued more than 850 individuals across Kerr County, the area hardest hit by the unprecedented flooding.
Following the catastrophe, President Donald Trump declared a major disaster for Kerr County. Governor Greg Abbott, in a display of collective mourning, designated Sunday as a day of prayer for the affected communities. Questions remain unanswered concerning the lack of evacuation orders for camps located along the Guadalupe River. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted to reporters his inability to explain why these camps weren't evacuated prior to the flood, expressing a lack of prior knowledge concerning the scale of the impending disaster.
Criticism has been directed at the National Weather Service (NWS) for alleged shortcomings in flood prediction accuracy, despite the issuance of prior alerts and flash flood emergency declarations. While a flash flood watch was indeed issued Thursday afternoon, specifically mentioning Kerr County, the NWS's forecasting of rainfall intensity has been called into question by W. Nim Kidd, director of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, who indicated the severity of the downpour was underestimated. The events underscore the critical need for enhanced forecasting capabilities and effective communication of such crucial warnings to ensure public safety during extreme weather events.
