Texas floods leave 82 dead, 40 missing

Search and cleanup efforts are ongoing in central Texas following severe flooding that has resulted in one of the deadliest disasters in the United States this year. Torrential rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise dramatically from 2.3 meters to nine meters within three hours, marking its second-highest level on record, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. The disaster has claimed at least 82 lives, with Kerr County reporting 68 fatalities, including 28 children. Over 40 individuals remain missing, leaving the region in shock and mourning.

A reporter from China Media Group visited Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where the devastation was evident with splintered trees and damaged homes. The camp, located in a low-lying area, had not experienced flooding of this magnitude in decades, and many students were asleep in their dormitories when the floodwaters struck. Emergency responders and cleanup crews are actively searching for missing persons and clearing debris across 12 counties, as officials label this the state's deadliest flood disaster in decades.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott assured the public that the state is doing everything possible to locate the missing. As of now, 11 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic are still unaccounted for. Over 850 individuals have been rescued, many by helicopter and boat. The National Weather Service has issued ongoing flood warnings for the Kerrville area, with additional rainfall expected.

In response to the disaster, local authorities are coordinating volunteer efforts, and donations can be made through the American Red Cross to support relief initiatives. Reunification centers have been established for displaced families. This event marks one of the deadliest floods in Texas history, surpassing the 1987 Guadalupe River disaster, and investigations are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of warning systems and emergency responses.