Texas Flood Tragedy: Death Toll Hits 78 as Trump Plans Visit Amid Scrutiny
The death toll from the devastating floods in Texas has surged to 78, including 28 children, as emergency crews continue the search for missing girls swept away from a summer camp. The historic catastrophe, triggered by torrential rains on U.S. Independence Day, has left large swaths of Texas Hill Country submerged and communities reeling in grief.
Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County, the area hardest hit, confirmed the staggering number of fatalities, noting that many of the victims were children attending Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls’ camp. As of Sunday evening, 11 people from the camp—10 campers and one counselor—remained unaccounted for.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, speaking during a press conference, described the situation as “nothing short of horrific,” after touring the flood-ravaged zone. He pledged full support to ongoing rescue and recovery efforts, which have so far saved more than 850 people.
Former President Donald Trump announced he would likely visit the flood zone on Friday and sent condolences to affected families. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “It’s a horrible thing that took place. God bless all of the people that have gone through so much, and God bless the state of Texas.”
But Trump’s planned visit is already stirring controversy. Critics are questioning whether staffing cuts during his administration contributed to inadequate weather warnings. The National Weather Service, overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has suffered thousands of job losses in recent years. Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad cautioned that reduced staffing may compromise the agency’s ability to issue timely and accurate forecasts.
Trump dismissed the concerns, saying, “That was really the Biden setup,” though he added, “I wouldn’t blame Biden for it either.” He deflected further questions about FEMA’s performance, stating only, “They’re busy working, so we’ll leave it at that.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged the National Weather Service had only issued a “moderate” flood watch ahead of the disaster. She said the administration was taking steps to upgrade the forecasting system.
Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas raised alarms on national television, warning that understaffed weather services could put lives at risk, especially during flash floods.
Scenes of destruction from Camp Mystic illustrate the scale of the disaster. Katharine Somerville, a camp counselor, described water sweeping through cabins perched on the highest hills. “Our cabins at the tippity top of hills were completely flooded. We never imagined this could happen,” she told Fox News.
Campers were eventually evacuated on military trucks, with dozens still traumatized. Inside the wrecked campgrounds, muddy water lines six feet high marked cabin walls. Furniture and personal items lay scattered in ruins, some buildings missing entire walls.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has since been activated and deployed additional resources. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters continue to aid rescue missions amid warnings of another potential wave of flooding as rain persists.
Emergency officials remain on high alert as creeks within the Guadalupe River basin continue to swell. Parts of the region are being cleared to prevent further casualties.
The disaster, deemed a once-in-a-century event, has left a deep scar on Texas, reigniting debate over disaster preparedness, government responsibility, and the need for climate resilience.
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Texas Flood Tragedy: Death Toll Hits 78 as Trump Plans Visit Amid Scrutiny