Texas Floods Kill 69, 11 Missing Across Multiple Counties

Catastrophic flash flooding in Texas’ Hill Country, especially Kerr County, has resulted in at least 69 deaths, including 21 children, with many more missing, notably 11 girls and their counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp. The flooding was triggered by intense rainfall that caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in under an hour, devastating campsites, homes, and roads. President Donald Trump declared a state of disaster in Kerr County and signed a major disaster declaration, deploying FEMA and Coast Guard resources to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Over 850 people have been rescued so far, but ongoing rain and debris continue to complicate search efforts. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency and expanded disaster declarations to other affected counties, including Travis, Burnet, and Kendall. Criticism has emerged regarding delayed flood warnings, prompting calls for a review of the National Weather Service's response.