Texas Floods Kill 82, Trump Declares Major Disaster

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Texas — The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Texas has climbed to 82, with emergency crews continuing to search for dozens of missing individuals, including 10 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian youth camp located along the Guadalupe River.

Authorities in Kerr County, the epicenter of the catastrophe, confirmed that 68 bodies have been recovered from the flood-hit region. Sheriff Larry Leitha stated that 28 of the confirmed dead are children, highlighting the disaster’s severe toll on young lives.

Flash floods struck the area after days of relentless rainfall caused rivers to overflow, sending walls of water sweeping through campsites, neighborhoods, and rural communities in the Texas Hill Country. Entire structures were torn from their foundations, vehicles were swept away, and hundreds of families have been displaced.

President Donald Trump officially declared the event a major federal disaster, unlocking emergency resources for rescue operations and relief aid. In a statement, the White House said the move aims to “support overwhelmed local and state authorities during an unprecedented climate event.”

Despite the declaration, Trump faced backlash for previously attempting to cut federal disaster funding—a decision critics say delayed critical infrastructure upgrades in flood-prone regions. The president defended the administration’s response, saying rescue teams were “doing incredible work on the ground.”

Governor Greg Abbott warned on Sunday that further rounds of heavy rainfall are expected into Tuesday, which could result in additional life-threatening floods. Emergency management teams have urged residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate immediately.

Families of missing persons were permitted limited access to the Camp Mystic site to search for personal items and receive updates from emergency crews. Recovery teams, including FEMA, Texas National Guard, and local first responders, are working around the clock under challenging conditions.

The floods have reignited national conversations around climate resilience, infrastructure preparedness, and the frequency of extreme weather events across the United States. Environmental scientists noted that the Texas flooding follows a pattern of increased precipitation and severe storms linked to climate change.

Across affected areas, communities are rallying to provide shelter, food, and aid. Dozens of shelters have opened across Kerrville, Austin, and San Antonio, with nonprofit organizations coordinating support for the displaced.

The identities of the deceased have not been fully released pending family notifications. Search operations continue as floodwaters recede in some areas, revealing the extent of damage and accelerating the recovery process.

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