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Here’s where things stand on Sunday 6 July 2025:
- At least 68 people have been killed after flash floods swept through parts of central Texas
- Kerrville County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirms 59 people, including 21 children, have been killed in the county, as other deaths have been reported across the state – here’s the latest
- Leitha adds that 11 Camp Mystic campers and one councillor remain unaccounted for – here’s what we know about the camp
- Texas Governor Greg Abbot says authorities will “stop at nothing” to ensure every last missing person is rescued
- In a post on social media, US President Donald Trump says: “These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy”
At least 68 people killed in Texas flash floods – officials
We’ve been receiving updates on the death toll following flash floods in Texas, as officials expect it will continue to rise.
At least 68 people have been killed across five counties in the state – here’s a full breakdown:
- 59 people have been killed in Kerr County, 38 adults and 21 children, its Sherriff Larry Leitha has confirmed
- Four deaths have been confirmed in Travis County, County Judge Andy Brown said
- Two people were killed in Burnet County, according to an emergency management coordinator for the county
- Two people have been killed in Kendall County, local officials confirmed in a statement
- One person has been confirmed dead in Tom Green County, the San Angelo Police Department has confirmed
People swept up in ‘extraordinary catastrophe’, Texas governor says
At a news conference in Austin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott says that “so many people have been swept into an extraordinary catastrophe” following the floods.
He says a meeting with officials has taken place at a local level, and there’s a collaborative effort to address concerns “as quickly as possible”.
“We remain in a search and rescue posture right now,” he adds.
“We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset, and person and plane, and whatever is needed is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person,” he says.
Abbott then goes on to sign a disaster declaration.
‘An unimaginable tragedy’ – Donald Trump
We’re now hearing from US President Donald Trump who says he has signed a “Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need”.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social he says the families of the dead and missing are “enduring an unimaginable tragedy”.
Trump reiterates that his administration continues to work closely with state and local Leaders.
He adds that “Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State”.
“Our incredible U.S. Coast Guard, together with State First Responders, have saved more than 850 lives,” he says, ending the message with: “GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”
Why weren’t people evacuated ahead of the floods?
As city officials take questions from the press, City Manager Dalton Rice is asked why people weren’t evacuated ahead of the flash floods.
Rice repeats that the focus is on reuniting families.
“Until we can get them reunited families, we are not going to stop,” he says, before walking away and leaving the room.
While he walks away, press shout numerous questions about whether there were any warnings, with one reporter shouting “there are families who deserve better than that”.
With that, the news conference comes to an end. We’ll continue to bring you the latest developments as we get them.
‘Our goal is to rescue those in peril’ – Kerrville mayor
Kerrville Mayor Don Herring Junior is up next at the news conference. He says the entire Kerrville city council is on site.
“Our goal is to rescue those in peril and find those who are lost,” he tells the news conference.
He adds that if you want to donate and help families affected, you can visit
If you want to donate to help, you can visit the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
“Our community, our state and the world have been responding,” he says, thanking them.
City manager warns people not to fly their own drones in search area
City Manager Dalton Rice says everyone in the community is hurting.
Rice notes that there are an increased number of personnel navigating challenging shores along the bank line to find people.
He asks people to stop flying personal drones in the area since they are a danger to aircrafts and endanger operations.
Thirty-eight adults and 21 children killed – Kerr County sheriff
Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha, speaking at a news conference, says among the 59 dead are 38 adults and 21 children.
He says the numbers will continue to change and increase as time goes on, but the search and rescue operations continue.
Over 400 first responders from more than 20 agencies are working in Kerr County, he says.
He says there are 11 Camp Mystic campers unaccounted for, as well as one camp councillor.
Dallas sisters who were visiting grandparents killed in flash floodspublished at 17:0417:04
Sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were among the dozens of lives lost in the catastrophic floods.
The two were not attending Camp Mystic but were in the central Texas visiting a relative. Their deaths were confirmed on Saturday by St. Rita Catholic Community.
The girls were staying with their grandparents – who remain unaccounted for – along the Guadalupe River, according to the church.
Their parents were in a separate cabin and were not harmed, the CBS News, external reported.
‘I lost everything I own’: Houses flooded with river water
The floor of Anthony’s apartment in Kerrville is full of mud and debris as we follow him inside.
His refrigerator is fallen on the floor, his bed has been moved and most of his belongings are not salvageable, except a box holding childhood photos and his baby blanket.
He leans down to grab a coffee machine pot that’s on the floor filled with river water.
“I lost everything I own,” he tells us.
He had been in Houston visiting his mum’s grave when the flooding hit, destroying many of the buildings in his apartment complex and moving one unit completely across a street.
He woke up Friday to photos of his flooded apartment building on the internet and rushed back to town.
We first met him leaving a Red Cross shelter where he was able to eat and get assistance on how to contact aid organisations. He says he has no family in the area.
“Now I’m trying to figure things out.”
Deaths recorded in five countiespublished at 16:3316:33
As we’ve just reported, Lieutenant Governor Dan Partrick says the flash floods death toll has risen to 59 in Kerr County.
We’re still waiting on more information from authorities, but here’s what we know so far:
- 59 of those killed were in Kerr County, its Sherriff Larry Leitha has confirmed
- At least four deaths have been confirmed in Travis County, according to spokesperson Hector Nieto
- Two people were killed in Burnet County according to an emergency management coordinator for the county
- One person has been confirmed dead in Tom Green County, the San Angelo Police Department has confirmed
- Another person was killed in Kendall County
Rescue efforts are ongoing and the total number of missing people remains unclear.
Officials confirmed yesterday, though, that 27 girls who were staying at Camp Mystic have yet to be located.
Within the next hour we’re expecting a news conference from local officials and emergency departments – we’ll bring you the key developments right here on this page.
At least 59 dead in flash floods in Texas, governor says
The death toll after flash flooding hit Texas has risen to 59, according to the county’s Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, up from 51.
“We’re now up to 59,” he tells Fox News this morning. “We expect that to go higher sadly.”
The last 24 hours in central Texas, in picturespublished at 16:0416:04
US weather service warns of more rain in central Texas
As we have been reporting, the flash flooding began on Thursday night into Friday morning – the start of the 4 July holiday weekend.
Officials have said that the equivalent of a months’ worth of rain fell in a matter of hours.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that more rain is forecast for the central Texas area and that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations”.
“A Flood Watch is in effect,” NWS San Antonio / Austin says on X.
Who are the flooding victims?
Here are the names of some of the children who were confirmed to have died after flash floods hit Camp Mystic:
Renee Smajstrla, eight, was at the camp when flooding struck, according to her uncle.
“Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” Shawn Salta said on Facebook.
Sarah Marsh,eight,had been reported missing before her grandmother shared online that she was among the girls killed.
“We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful ray of light in our lives. She will live on in our hearts forever!” she said.
Janie Hunt, nine, had attended the camp with her six of her cousins, who were later confirmed safe by Janie’s grandmother.
Lila Bonner, also nine, was found dead after the flooding.
“In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” her family said in a statement to NBC news.
What we know about Camp Mystic
Twenty-seven children remain missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian youth camp for girls located along the River Guadalupe.
What do we know about the camp?
- It’s been operated by generations of the same family since the 1930s
- The camp’s website bills itself asa place for girls to grow “spiritually” in a “wholesome” Christian atmosphere “to develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem”
- Some of the girls who are reported missing were in low-lying cabins – less than 500 feet from the river bank, according to the New York Times
What has Camp Mystic said since the floods?
- In an email to parents of the roughly 750 campers, Camp Mystic said that if they haven’t been contacted directly, their child is accounted for
- The camp said it was assisting with search-and-rescue operations, but that it did not have power, water or Wi-Fi
- They said that they are struggling to get more help because a nearby highway had washed away, the New York Times says
How key figures have reactedpublished at 14:4714:47
As the search continues for the missing, the president and officials in the US have been reacting to the deadly flash floods in Texas.
US President Donald Trump has not spoken yet today, but yesterday he said his administration is working with official on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that “the number one priority is people” and promised more helicopters to assist with rescue operations.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott assured worried relatives that his teams will only stop when the job is completed.
We’ve also been hearing reaction from key international figures:
Pope Leo XIV – who was born in America – has posted on social media, expressing his “sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent his condolences to Trump, and said he hopes “those who have gone missing, including children from a summer camp, will be returned to safety as soon as possible”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to learn about the loss of lives in Texas.
Let’s get you up to speed
Officials in central Texas say emergency workers will continue to relentlessly search for those missing after flash floods caused the Guadalupe River to burst its banks on Thursday night.
Here’s a summary of the latest developments:
- At least 51 people, including 15 children, have died in the flash flooding
- Forecasters have said parts of the area got a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours
- Rescue teams are still frantically trying to find 27 girls who were swept away from a Christian summer camp on the shores of the Guadalupe
- About 850 people have been rescued so far, as volunteers are helping comb through the debris from torn-up riverbanks
- Forecasters have warned that central Texas may see more flooding this weekend, though waters are starting to recede
- Details of those who died are starting to emerge – some were as young as eight – as two sisters have been declared dead following the floods
Rescue mission continues after Texas floods, as 27 children still missing
As Texas wakes up, we are resuming our coverage of the rescue mission in central Texas – after flash floods hit the area in the early hours of Friday morning.
At least 51 people have been killed, including 15 children, as hundreds of rescuers have been deployed to search for those missing.
“The work continues, and will continue, until everyone is found,” promised Larry Leitha, the sheriff of Kerr County – which has been hardest hit by the floods.
Much of the rescue has focused on a large all-girls’ Christian summer camp called Camp Mystic, located along the banks of the Guadalupe River, as 27 girls remain missing following the flood.
‘We never expected that at all’ – Kerrville resident
We meet Karen Rector standing outside her Kerrville home as she looks out at workers cutting down trees fallen over by the flood.
In the 25 years she has lived in her mobile home that looks out towards the Guadalupe River, she has never seen the water rise as high as it did two nights ago.
“It’s the first time it’s ever gotten like that,” Rector tells us, remembering hearing the sound of the roaring water. “We never expected that at all.”
She had left her home in the middle of the night, urged to leave by a neighbour. She returned when the flooding had receded to find the water had reached the base of her mobile home but didn’t make it inside.
Rector says she is grateful the damage wasn’t worse being so close to the river.
“I’m very, very thankful,” she says. “There’s no telling what the water could’ve done.”
Damage is palpable in Kerrville as debris line the Guadalupe River
Downed trees and debris line the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. Although much of the water has receded, the damage is palpable.
Water in the county rose up to 26 feet high. Mud and puddles extend far above and beyond the river itself.
By the river, all sorts of objects are strewn about: A white and pink flowered couch flipped upside down, its ruffles turned over. An orange water cooler amid tree trunks, its interior filled with dirt.
A several-ton dumpster fully flattened against a walkway, half-submerged under water.
This on just a sliver of a river whose damage extends for miles.
Questions about early warnings come amid budget cuts
Details on why “there was no early warning on Texas floods” may follow.
But even before this tragic extreme event, there had already been worries over Trump administration’s budget cuts to the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – the government agency that operates the country’s National Weather Service.
Meteorologists in the US and elsewhere have expressed concerns over “reduced number of weather balloons” that observe wind, relative humidity and pressure above the ground.
They say budget cuts have meant that around 20% less weather balloons are now being released for such observation and that can impact accurate weather forecasting.
Experts are also worried over possible impacts on ocean observation because half of the argo floats – robotic instruments that float on the ocean and dive in on a regular basis to measure water temperature, salinity and other parameters – are NOAA’s.
And NOAA budget cuts can mean no new replacements of its argo floats to study oceans that drive our climate systems.
All this is bad news not just for the US weather and climate forecasting, but also for many met offices around the world that depend on NOAA’s services, experts say.
What we learned from the latest Texas floods update
A short while ago, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and other state and local officials wrapped up a press conference to give an update on search and rescue operations after flash flooding caused major damage along the Guadalupe River.
Here’s what we learned:
- The death toll has risen from 27 to 32, including 18 adults and 14 children. Five adults and three children remain unidentified, but the Kerr County sheriff says numbers will continue to change
- He adds that 27 are still missing from an all-girls Christian summer camp located on the banks of the Guadalupe River
- More than 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours of the search operation,says Texas Governor Greg Abbott as he praises local and state authorities
- Responders are still looking for “living people” says the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. He adds that they will not stop until they “find everyone”
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saysTrump is “devastated” by the floods, adding that the government is bringing in helicopters to help with rescue operations
- When asked whether the tragedy is due to “fundamental failure” on the government’s part when it came to giving people early warnings, she says the “weather is difficult to predict” but adds Trump is seeking to modernise the current system
Barbed wire prevented Kerrville teen from being swept away
On the banks of the Guadalupe river we meet Jonathan and Brittany Rojas, who have come to see the damage to a relative’s home.
Five people were in the house the night of the flooding – the mother and a small child are still missing.
What’s left of the house is the foundations with the entirety of the house swept up in the floods and moved along the street.
As we speak to Jonathan and Brittany, a neighbour of their relatives comes by to give them a money jar which says ‘Leo’s survival kit’ on it.
They say the son, Leo, survived partly thanks to barbed wire being caught in his body which prevented him from being swept away.
Jonathan and Brittany say the money jar will be reunited with Leo who is currently in hospital, one of his only possessions left after this tragedy.
Weather is difficult to predict, says Noem
One journalist asks if there was a “fundamental failure” from government when it came to giving people early warnings ahead of the floods.
Noem takes this one and says the “weather is difficult to predict”. She says over the years the National Weather Service has done well.
“At times we have all wanted more time, more warning or more alerts,” she says.
She says this is one area that Donald Trump has says he wants to fix.
The press conference has now concluded.
Thirty-two confirmed dead, including 18 adults and 14 children – Sheriff
Here’s the latest update from officials on the numbers: 32 deceased – 18 are adults 14 are children.
Five adults and three children remain unidentified. Numbers will continue to change, the official says.
‘We’re not going to stop until we find everyone’ – police chief
Chief Kidd is telling reporters all of the river is being searched for people.
“That process is going to keep going, we’re not going to stop until we find everyone,” he says.
Kidd adds that ground teams are working on the search effort as well.
Responders still looking for ‘living people’, says official
Officials are now taking questions from reporters.
Responding to a question on whether this is a rescue mission or a recovery operation, Chief Kidd says rescue operations continue, and responders are still looking for living people.
He notes that it will turn to recovery eventually but for now the search continues.
Official says damage assessment to begin soon
Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) W. Nim Kidd says assessment of damage will start as soon as possible, “we continue to work forward”.
‘We will rescue those in peril’ – Kerrville mayor
Now speaking is Kerrville Mayor Don Herring Jr who says they will “rescue those in peril and find those who are lost”.
He thanks the state and federal officials for helping and asks for people to pray for Kerr County.
Nobody saw this coming, says County Judge Kelly
The next speaker, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, says that his house, along the Guadalupe River, is one of those decimated by the floods.
“I barely got home yesterday,” he says.
He says his morning started by ushering in a crew with dump trailers, tree trucks, “trying to rebuild what went down the river”.
Kelly says he’s also spent time today at the funeral home where many of the body bags are. He says locals know that the river rises but “nobody saw this coming”.
“The rescue has gone as well as can be expected, it’s time now for the recovery,” he says.