Central Texas is facing a devastating flood disaster that has tragically taken the lives of at least 89 people, with many more still missing. The destruction, which began over the Fourth of July weekend, has hit Kerr County the hardest, where most of the fatalities have been reported. Search and rescue efforts are still underway, as both authorities and volunteers brave dangerous conditions in a desperate attempt to locate survivors.

The tragic event saw the Guadalupe River swell by an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes on Friday, July 4th, turning calm waters into a raging torrent that swept away homes, vehicles, and campgrounds. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a long-standing all-girls summer camp located along the river. The camp has confirmed the heartbreaking loss of 27 campers and counselors, with at least 10 girls and one counselor still missing.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 75 of the deaths occurred within his county, including 27 children. While the immediate emergency response shifts towards recovery, questions are being raised about the adequacy of flood warnings, particularly in Kerr County, where some residents and camp officials claim they received no timely alerts. This has sparked a debate on whether staffing cuts at the National Weather Service may have contributed to the tragedy.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a "major disaster" for the state, enabling federal assistance to flow into the affected areas. President Donald Trump has also sent his condolences and indicated he plans to visit the devastated region later this week. As communities begin the arduous process of recovery, the threat of further life-threatening flooding looms, with more rain forecasted for the already saturated region.