The death toll from the catastrophic flash flooding that swept through Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend has climbed to 91, according to a statement Monday from the White House. With more than a dozen individuals still missing, including young campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, the search and rescue effort remains one of the largest in recent Texas history.
Among the hardest-hit areas is Kerr County, where powerful flash floods overwhelmed riverside summer camps, neighborhoods, and rural communities. Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls camp in Hunt, Texas, confirmed that 27 campers and counselors have died, and that 11 individuals — ten campers and one counselor — are still unaccounted for.
Survivors continue to share harrowing accounts of the flood. Keli Rabon, a Houston mother, described to Fox News how camp counselors saved her two young sons, ages 9 and 7, who were attending a boys’ camp nearby.
“They encouraged the boys to get on the first bunk, then the second,” she recounted. “Then they were lifting the little boys into the rafters to keep them out of harm’s way.”
Counselor Holly Kate Hurley, speaking to America’s Newsroom, said,
“In the morning, they told us two cabins with the 7-year-old girls were wiped away. We tried to keep up good spirits, but it was terrifying.”
The Guadalupe and Llano Rivers both swelled far beyond their banks after torrential rainfall — with some areas seeing water levels rise several feet in minutes. Time-lapse footage from Kingsland shows water overtaking roads in under 10 minutes.
Among the victims is 9-year-old Janie Hunt, a member of the prominent Hunt family — relatives of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. His wife, Tavia Hunt, confirmed the loss in an emotional Instagram post, writing:
“Our hearts are broken… including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friends’ little girls.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned efforts by some Democrats and media figures to politicize the tragedy by blaming President Donald Trump.
“Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie,” Leavitt said Monday, directly calling out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for pushing “falsehoods.”
Leavitt laid out a detailed timeline of National Weather Service (NWS) warnings, stating the agency issued a flood watch and held forecast briefings on July 3, and then followed up with flash flood warnings that gave at least three hours’ notice before water levels began to rise.
“The National Weather Service executed timely and precise forecasts despite unprecedented rainfall,” she added, noting that NWS offices had extra staff on duty.
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, confirmed the death toll and said more federal support is en route. Noem visited Texas over the weekend and continues to coordinate search and recovery operations alongside Governor Greg Abbott.
President Trump, currently at his Bedminster, NJ residence, is expected to travel to Texas on Friday. He called the disaster a “100-year catastrophe”, noting that floodwaters rose “in seconds” and caught many off guard.
“God bless all of the people that have gone through so much, and God bless the state of Texas,” Trump said Sunday.
Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit crisis relief organization, deployed mobile kitchens within 36 hours of the flood to feed hundreds of first responders and rescue teams. Founder Gary LeBlanc described the emotional toll on rescuers:
“They’ll take a couple of bites and then just put their heads in their hands. So many of them have seen things they can never unsee.”
The Fourth of July, typically a time of national celebration, has been transformed into a time of sorrow and unity for Texas. Flags are flying at half-staff, and churches across the state held prayer vigils Sunday night.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick vowed the search would continue:
“Miracles happen. We are not giving up. We are going to continue to work hard to search.”
With rising concerns of additional heavy rainfall, officials warn that the situation could still worsen. Residents are urged to monitor alerts, remain cautious, and heed all safety warnings.
