Texas flood toll passes 100 as more bodies recovered

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More than 100 people have died in catastrophic flooding across Texas, with rescue efforts continuing to locate those swept away by the torrents. Among the confirmed fatalities are at least 27 girls and counselors from a youth summer camp situated on a river, which was tragically overwhelmed during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Forecasters are warning that additional rainfall on already saturated ground could lead to further flooding, complicating the ongoing recovery operations that involve a large deployment of helicopters, boats, search dogs, and approximately 1,750 personnel. Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated on Monday that the threat of heavy rain persists and the number of victims is expected to increase.

President Donald Trump confirmed his plan to visit Texas on Friday, while the White House defended his administration against critics who claim that cuts to weather agencies have weakened warning systems. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed such accusations as "a depraved lie" and asserted that the National Weather Service, despite reports of unfilled key roles in Texas, issued "timely and precise forecasts and warnings." President Trump has described the early Friday floods as an unexpected "100-year catastrophe." Despite his past stance on disaster relief being a state responsibility, he has now signed a major disaster declaration, unlocking crucial federal funds and resources for the affected areas.

The central Texas region has been severely impacted, with at least 104 flood-related deaths reported. Kerr County, bisected by the Guadalupe River, bore the brunt of the disaster, reporting at least 84 fatalities, including 28 children, according to the local sheriff's office. This tragic toll includes 27 individuals from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp housing around 750 people when the floodwaters struck. While summer camps are a cherished tradition in the U.S., offering children opportunities in rural settings, some residents are now questioning the absence of more robust flood-warning systems in this "Flash Flood Alley" region of south and central Texas, known for frequent deluges.

Experts confirm that the National Weather Service did issue timely forecasts, suggesting that the core issue was a failure in "warning dissemination," as noted by climate scientist Daniel Swain. In response, San Antonio mother Nicole Wilson, who nearly sent her daughters to Camp Mystic, initiated a Change.org petition urging Governor Greg Abbott to approve a modern warning network. She believes that "Five minutes of that siren going off could have saved every single one of those children." Witnesses describe a terrifying display of nature's power, with the Guadalupe River's rain-swollen waters rising to treetops and cabin roofs while girls at the camp slept. The aftermath revealed belongings caked in mud and shattered cabin windows, indicating the immense force of the water. Volunteers, some with personal connections to the victims, are assisting in the search through debris, with one telling AFP about a victim's last message: "We're being washed away."

The disaster was triggered by months' worth of rain falling in mere hours on Thursday night into Friday, with intermittent rainfall continuing since. The Guadalupe River surged approximately 26 feet (eight meters), equivalent to more than a two-story building, in a mere 45 minutes. Flash floods occur when the ground becomes unable to absorb torrential rainfall. This event underscores how human-driven climate change is contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena such as floods, droughts, and heat waves in recent years.