Texas: floods leave more than 108 dead as rescue efforts continue

As emergency services continue to work around the clock to locate the missing, the death toll from the flooding in Texas has risen to more than 108 - including at least 27 children participating in Camp Mystic.

"The height the rushing water reached the top of the cabins was shocking. We won't stop until we find every girl," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said. "We continue our 24/7 search & rescue operation until every missing person is found."

Residents, along with people from other parts of the state and country, traveled to the affected areas to support emergency services and help with rescue efforts.

For its part, the Texas Department of Public Safety on its X account, noted that they were still hard at work: "Rescue and recovery efforts continue in full force in Kerr County. DPS along with partners from several agencies including @TPWDnew are combing through debris and damage as the mission is ongoing. #protectandserve" 

Emergency in Kerr County

Kerr County is the hardest hit by the flooding. In its latest report, the sheriff's office reported that 84 bodies had been recovered, 56 adults and 28 children. "Fifteen adults and 9 children are pending identification," they detailed.

President Trump approved an emergency declaration for the county to assist rescuers and in subsequent recovery efforts. 

Girls "swam for 15 minutes" to save themselves

Amid the tragedy, there were also moments of survival and heroism. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick shared how one of the camp counselors managed to save a group of girls who were trapped inside a cabin.

"The water was at the door. The camp counselor took a rock and smashed out the window. They climbed out the window in bare feet and nothing but a nightgown on. The girls had to swim for 10 to 15 minutes - can you imagine, in the dark and with the waters swirling, trees rushing past them and rocks falling on top of them?" described Patrick.

White House defends NWS and lashes out at Democrats

"Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday.

Leavitt accused Democratic politicians, "such as Senator Chuck Schumer," and some media outlets of pushing "falsehoods." "The National Weather Service did it's job," she said, asserting that it had issued "timely and accurate" warnings and forecasts up to three hours before the flooding began.

She also assured that the NWS branch in charge of that section of Texas had "extra staff on duty during the storms, despite claims of the contrary." When asked later about Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutbacks, she insisted that "the San Angelo office was fully staffed with 12 forecast meteorologists" and the San Antonio office "was operating with 11 forecasters," and that "the union themselves said there was adequate staffing." "The numbers speak for themselves."

Trump to travel to Texas on Friday

President Donald Trump announced plans to travel to Texas this week, specifically on Friday, to meet with Governor Abbott and witness the effects of the flooding firsthand.

More rain expected

(With information from AFP) The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings of potential further flooding as torrential rains are expected in parts of Texas where the ground is already saturated.

"An additional 50 to 100 millimeters of rain is possible, with isolated areas receiving up to 250 millimeters," the weather service said. "It is very difficult to predict exactly where the heaviest rainfall will occur," it added.

The rainfall caused the Guadalupe River's flow to triple within minutes, leading to a violent overflow that swept away everything in its path.