Over 160 Missing, 109 Dead In Texas Floods As Rescue Efforts Continue

Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 07:35 IST

Among the dead are at least 27 young girls and counsellors who were attending a summer camp along the Guadalupe River when the floods struck during the early hours of July 4.

A traffic sign reading “Road may flood” lies on the ground near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025, following severe flash flooding during the July 4 holiday weekend. (AFP)

The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods in Texas has climbed to 109, with more than 160 individuals still unaccounted for, Governor Greg Abbott confirmed on Tuesday. The situation has grown increasingly dire four days after multiple counties were inundated by fast-rising waters, primarily in the middle of the night, catching many residents off guard.

Kerr County, located in Central Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley," remains the hardest hit, with at least 94 confirmed fatalities. Governor Abbott told reporters that 161 people are reported missing in Kerr County alone and that the number could rise further. “There very likely could be more added to that list," he said, noting that the figures are based on missing persons reports filed by relatives, neighbours, and friends.

Among the dead are at least 27 young girls and counsellors who were attending a summer camp along the Guadalupe River when the floods struck during the early hours of July 4. Torrential waters swept through the campgrounds, devastating cabins while campers slept. As of Tuesday evening, five campers and one counsellor remain missing, along with another child unaffiliated with the camp.

Rescue and recovery operations have been relentless but treacherous. Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens said the use of helicopters, drones, and search dogs has been challenged by large debris piles, mud, and residual floodwater. “It’s extremely treacherous, time-consuming. It’s dirty work, the water is still there," he said.

The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where the Rio Ruidoso River crested more than 20 feet. Officials reported people trapped and significant home damage.

President Donald Trump is expected to visit Texas on Friday with First Lady Melania Trump. Meanwhile, questions have surfaced over the federal response and the impact of staffing shortages at the National Weather Service. Experts, including Shel Winkley from Climate Central, pointed to geography and prolonged drought as exacerbating factors in the scale of the disaster.

Abhro Banerjee

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...Read More

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...

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News world Over 160 Missing, 109 Dead In Texas Floods As Rescue Efforts Continue