Devastating floods in Texas’ Hill Country have claimed at least 80 lives, prompting President Trump to announce a visit to the ravaged area later this week.
According to the New York Post, the catastrophic flooding, described as a historic disaster, has triggered a massive search and rescue effort across the state while severe weather warnings persist.
On Sunday, President Trump revealed his intention to travel to Texas’ Hill Country to witness firsthand the destruction caused by unprecedented flooding. The floods have wreaked havoc in the region, with a confirmed death toll of 80 as reported by Gov. Greg Abbott and local officials during a press conference on the same day.
Among the victims are children and adults, with Kerr County alone reporting 68 deaths, including 40 adults and 28 children.
One of the most heartbreaking incidents occurred at Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girl camp located along the Guadalupe River. Five campers, aged 8 and 9, along with the camp’s owner, have been confirmed dead. Additionally, 11 girls and one counselor from the camp remain missing, adding to the urgency of rescue efforts.
An extensive, around-the-clock search and rescue mission is currently underway, utilizing land, sea, and air resources. Hundreds of workers from 20 local, state, and federal agencies are collaborating to locate survivors amid the widespread destruction. So far, 525 rescue operations have been conducted across Texas, with 366 of those carried out by air.
Despite these efforts, dozens of people are still unaccounted for, and officials warn that the death toll is likely to increase. In Kerr County, four children and several adult victims have yet to be identified, complicating the recovery process. Officials are also facing challenges in determining the exact number of people in the area due to an influx of visitors for the Independence Day holiday.
President Trump stated that he will "probably" visit the affected region on Friday to assess the damage. "This is a hundred-year catastrophe and it’s just so horrible to watch," Trump remarked during his announcement. "I would’ve done it today but we just would’ve been in their way," he added, explaining his decision to delay the trip.
During his statement, Trump addressed concerns about whether budget cuts to the National Weather Service, previously overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, affected the response to the floods. "They didn’t," Trump asserted, dismissing any connection between the reductions and the handling of the disaster. "That water situation, that all is and that was really the Biden setup. That was not our setup," he further clarified.
In the same breath, Trump was quick to add a note of restraint regarding accountability. "I wouldn’t blame Biden for it either," he said, maintaining a neutral stance on assigning fault for the crisis. His comments reflect an effort to focus on the immediate needs of the affected communities rather than political finger-pointing.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued warnings of additional rainfall, predicting several more inches in the coming days. A flood watch has been extended, with some areas expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, and certain spots potentially seeing up to 10 inches. This forecast raises concerns about further flooding and complicates the ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
The scale of the disaster has left communities in Texas’ Hill Country reeling, with families mourning loved ones and awaiting news of the missing. The tragic losses at Camp Mystic have particularly shaken the region, as the search continues for the missing girls and their counselor. As the state braces for more rain, the resilience of both residents and rescue workers is being tested to the limit.
President Trump’s upcoming visit is seen as a gesture of federal support for a state grappling with an unimaginable tragedy. The collaborative efforts of multiple agencies highlight the urgency and scale of the response needed to address this historic catastrophe.
As Texas continues to navigate this crisis, the focus remains on saving lives and supporting those who have lost so much.