Texas flood tragedy claims 135 lives and leaves many missing

In the United States, the catastrophic floods that struck Texas around July 4, 2025, caused widespread devastation and loss of life. The flooding, which primarily affected the Greater Kerrville area, resulted in a tragic death toll of at least 135 individuals, with local officials reporting that 107 of them were from Kerr County alone. The situation was exacerbated by the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River, which surged from 3 feet to 30 feet within a mere 45 minutes, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and even campers at the century-old Camp Mystic, which saw 27 of its members perish in the disaster. Authorities have noted that around 101 individuals were initially reported missing following the floods, with incremental recovery operations beginning to yield results. As of July 20, 2025, the number of missing persons had dropped drastically to just three. The response to this crisis involved more than 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel, who tirelessly coordinated search and rescue operations, greatly improving the hopes of families waiting for news about their loved ones. Significantly, these efforts were fraught with challenges, as the region had previously been critiqued for lacking proper warning systems for such severe weather events, raising questions about the management of emergency alerts and public safety measures. Many families, still mourning their losses, have expressed gratitude for the valiant efforts of rescuers while simultaneously calling for better preparedness to prevent such tragedies in the future. Recovery operations continue as authorities seek to bring closure to the families affected by this disaster.