USA Texas Floods Leave Trail of Devastation as Death Toll Climbs to 80

[Social Media]

 

Texas Floods Leave Trail of Devastation as Death Toll Climbs and Children Remain Missing

 

The devastating floods that swept through central Texas have now claimed the lives of at least 80 people, including 21 children, in one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike the region in decades. Officials are bracing for the toll to rise further as rescue teams continue to search for those missing, including 11 young girls and a counselor who vanished during the chaos at a historic summer camp.

 

 

The flooding, which began Friday, was triggered by a powerful storm system that dumped nearly 38 centimeters of rain on the region. The Guadalupe River near Kerrville surged to between six and eight meters, obliterating roads, homes, and campgrounds in its path. Entire communities were left submerged, and the extent of the destruction is still being uncovered.

 

 

Kerr County has borne the brunt of the disaster, reporting 68 deaths, including 40 adults and 28 children. Other casualties were confirmed in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson counties. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a nearly 100-year-old Christian camp where families are still waiting in agony for news about their missing daughters.

 

 

In a heartbreaking revelation, the grandson of Camp Mystic’s director, Dick Eastland, confirmed that his grandfather had died attempting to rescue campers from the deadly waters.

 

 

Questions are already mounting over why local authorities did not initiate evacuations sooner. When pressed on Friday about the failure to clear summer camps ahead of the storm, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said, “I can’t answer that. I don’t know.”

 

Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the devastated areas on Saturday, said the scenes were deeply disturbing. “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” he said, promising continued efforts to locate the missing.

 

President Donald Trump responded by signing a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, unlocking federal resources to support the search, rescue, and recovery operations. “These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

 

He later addressed reporters before departing New Jersey, where he spent the weekend. “We’ll continue to be there. And we’re working very closely with representatives from Texas, and it’s a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible,” Trump said. “So, we say, God bless all of the people that have gone through so much, and God bless, God bless the state of Texas.”

 

Asked about his previously announced plans to reduce the scope of FEMA’s responsibilities, Trump deflected. “FEMA is something we can talk about later, but right now, they’re busy working, so we’ll leave it at that,” he said. He also stated he would “probably” visit Texas on Friday.

 

Search and rescue teams have already saved more than 850 people, some of whom were found clinging to trees. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and FEMA teams continue to scour the area. The National Weather Service has kept much of south-central Texas under a flood watch, with more rain expected.

 

Survivors have begun to share terrifying stories. Brothers Brock and Braeden Davis, who were attending Camp La Junta, described being awakened around 4 a.m. Friday by screams and surging water. “I hear screaming from outside. Later on, I find out someone’s cabin flooded, and they were outside in the middle of the rain,” said Braeden.

 

“We jumped up to another bed, a top bunk and like our beds started tipping over, and we got to the top really quick and then, one of the walls fell down,” Brock recalled. The boys waited 13 harrowing hours on the top bunk before they were rescued.

 

Amid the grief and chaos, some critics have raised concerns that federal staffing cuts, including at the National Weather Service, may have hindered the ability to predict the storm’s ferocity and issue timely warnings.

 

As rescue efforts enter another critical day, Texas remains on high alert, and the full scope of this disaster is yet to be revealed.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Sky News  2025-07-07

 

 

[Callmeishmael]

Although people are asking why there weren't adequate weather warnings, there is another factor that no-one seems to mention. 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-efforts-predict-weather-hit-133342621.html

 

For those of you who don't like to click links or read complete articles, here is the relevant quote: 

"The Trump administration has axed thousands of jobs from NOAA, the National Weather Service's parent agency, leaving many weather offices understaffed,"

also:

"A lot of the weather forecast offices now are not operating at full complement of staff, which means that you're really putting an extra burden on these folks. I don't know how much that was a factor in what happened in Texas this weekend."

[fredwiggy]

8 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

Although people are asking why there weren't adequate weather warnings, there is another factor that no-one seems to mention. 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-efforts-predict-weather-hit-133342621.html

 

For those of you who don't like to click links or read complete articles, here is the relevant quote: 

"The Trump administration has axed thousands of jobs from NOAA, the National Weather Service's parent agency, leaving many weather offices understaffed,"

also:

"A lot of the weather forecast offices now are not operating at full complement of staff, which means that you're really putting an extra burden on these folks. I don't know how much that was a factor in what happened in Texas this weekend."

This is true. They are cutting out a lot of jobs and things people receive and doing this because it doesn't affect them directly, as billionaires only have personal health to worry about. These things they're doing might seem to help the economy but people who lose insurance and needed benefits are part of  that economy, because some, meaning most, still are living paycheck to paycheck and you don't cut out health benefits as a large percentage need them eventually. This might backfire in a very bad way.

[Tug]

Firstly my deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved…..all of those young kids just horrific.there certainly is a case to be made for the foolish cuts to our weather services and many others.its kinda strange that our last jobs report that many newly employed are in government jobs…..perhaps they are beginning to realize they were a bit hasty…humm??

[merck]

Flood timelapse:

 

[seajae]

On 7/7/2025 at 9:32 AM, Callmeishmael said:

Although people are asking why there weren't adequate weather warnings, there is another factor that no-one seems to mention. 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-efforts-predict-weather-hit-133342621.html

 

For those of you who don't like to click links or read complete articles, here is the relevant quote: 

"The Trump administration has axed thousands of jobs from NOAA, the National Weather Service's parent agency, leaving many weather offices understaffed,"

also:

"A lot of the weather forecast offices now are not operating at full complement of staff, which means that you're really putting an extra burden on these folks. I don't know how much that was a factor in what happened in Texas this weekend."

maybe because that had nothing to do with it, there were 5 meteorologists attending the office when normally only 2, there was more staff than normal because they knew it was coming,, once again we see the pathetic dems trying to blame trump when he had nothing to do with it

 

[seajae]

On 7/7/2025 at 10:45 AM, Tug said:

Firstly my deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved…..all of those young kids just horrific.there certainly is a case to be made for the foolish cuts to our weather services and many others.its kinda strange that our last jobs report that many newly employed are in government jobs…..perhaps they are beginning to realize they were a bit hasty…humm??

nice try  but totally wrong, try stating facts and not the made up garbage being pushed by you news services, there were 5 experienced meteorologists on duty and more staff than usual, warnings were issued hours in advance  of the flash flooding by the experts

[seajae]

Really pathetic to see the usual rusted on dems in here trying to use childrens deaths to push their hate, the cuts had nothing to do with this happening even though all the dem news sites are pushing it, if you bother to check the real facts you will see that there were 5 meteoroligists on duty as well as more than usual staff when normally only 2 meteoroligists  because they knew it was coming, warnings were issued in the after prior and again in the early morning around 4 hours before the flash flood hit. Unfortunately there were those that simply ignored the warnings or didnt know due to poor signals  & never got them but to see dems using childrens deaths to push their political BS pathetic, having lost 2 daughters I find what these members are doing just very sick, we should be thinking of the parents of the ones that died not trying to score political points by using innuendo and lies but thats what the left loves to do

[TedG]

On 7/6/2025 at 10:32 PM, Callmeishmael said:

Although people are asking why there weren't adequate weather warnings, there is another factor that no-one seems to mention. 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-efforts-predict-weather-hit-133342621.html

 

For those of you who don't like to click links or read complete articles, here is the relevant quote: 

"The Trump administration has axed thousands of jobs from NOAA, the National Weather Service's parent agency, leaving many weather offices understaffed,"

also:

"A lot of the weather forecast offices now are not operating at full complement of staff, which means that you're really putting an extra burden on these folks. I don't know how much that was a factor in what happened in Texas this weekend."

 

Dems try blaming Trump for Texas flood death toll — but weather-alert timeline and even experts critical of prez debunk claims

 

https://nypost.com/2025/07/07/us-news/dems-try-blaming-trump-for-texas-flood-death-toll-but-weather-alert-timeline-and-even-experts-critical-of-prez-debunk-claims/

[JimHuaHin]

Blood on Musk's and Trump's hands.

[Chomper Higgot]

9 hours ago, seajae said:

Really pathetic to see the usual rusted on dems in here trying to use childrens deaths to push their hate, the cuts had nothing to do with this happening even though all the dem news sites are pushing it, if you bother to check the real facts you will see that there were 5 meteoroligists on duty as well as more than usual staff when normally only 2 meteoroligists  because they knew it was coming, warnings were issued in the after prior and again in the early morning around 4 hours before the flash flood hit. Unfortunately there were those that simply ignored the warnings or didnt know due to poor signals  & never got them but to see dems using childrens deaths to push their political BS pathetic, having lost 2 daughters I find what these members are doing just very sick, we should be thinking of the parents of the ones that died not trying to score political points by using innuendo and lies but thats what the left loves to do

The National Weather Service was not broke.

 

Trump, Musk and the Republicans broke it.

 

They’ve broken a lot of other stuff too.

 

The buck for this tragedy stops at the President’s desk, and let’s not pretend had this happened on Biden’s watch you wouldn’t be blaming him.

 

RIP the victims, sincere condolences to the bereaved, this didn’t have to happen.

 

 

[Tug]

The death toll is over 100 now over 150 people still missing.sad 

[seajae]

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The National Weather Service was not broke.

 

Trump, Musk and the Republicans broke it.

 

They’ve broken a lot of other stuff too.

 

The buck for this tragedy stops at the President’s desk, and let’s not pretend had this happened on Biden’s watch you wouldn’t be blaming him.

 

RIP the victims, sincere condolences to the bereaved, this didn’t have to happen.

 

 

really showing how pathetic your hate for  republicans is, try using actual facts instead of your blind hate, everything you said is absolute BS and has been shown/proven to be a total lie. We all know you hate trump but to try to use childrens deaths in your hateful BS really shows just how pathetic you really are. The cuts had nothing what so ever to do with this as there were more staff on duty than usual as well as more meteorologists than usual but you try to play the usual democrat play book of hate because you refuse to accept the truth, you are a pathetic sick loser

[angryguy]

On 7/7/2025 at 7:00 AM, Social Media said:

some critics have raised concerns that federal staffing cuts, including at the National Weather Service, may have hindered the ability to predict the storm’s ferocity and issue timely warnings.

Sky news = leftist rag

[Eric Loh]

9 hours ago, seajae said:

maybe because that had nothing to do with it, there were 5 meteorologists attending the office when normally only 2, there was more staff than normal because they knew it was coming,, once again we see the pathetic dems trying to blame trump when he had nothing to do with it

 

I get your point but why is Trump blaming Biden before he realized that it is under his watch; then back off. 

[jerrymahoney]

REUTERS Updated on: July 7, 2025 -- During a July 4 press conference, Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said the forecast his office received on Wednesday in advance of the storm predicted several inches of rain, but that "the amount of rain that fell at this specific location was never in any of those forecast." 

 

Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice reiterated that sentiment in the same press conference, saying the storms that hit the areas "dumped more rain than what was forecasted."

 

The afternoon before the disaster struck, the National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio issued a flood watch on July 3 at 1:18 p.m. CT that included Kerrville. The alert stated: "Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with isolated amounts of 5 to 7 inches are possible."

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-floods-emergency-alerts-weather-forecast-staffing-budget/

[Chomper Higgot]

25 minutes ago, seajae said:

really showing how pathetic your hate for  republicans is, try using actual facts instead of your blind hate, everything you said is absolute BS and has been shown/proven to be a total lie. We all know you hate trump but to try to use childrens deaths in your hateful BS really shows just how pathetic you really are. The cuts had nothing what so ever to do with this as there were more staff on duty than usual as well as more meteorologists than usual but you try to play the usual democrat play book of hate because you refuse to accept the truth, you are a pathetic sick loser

I might be offended by your emotional rant, accusation of lying and ‘pathetic sick looser’  if I didn’t have evidence of the outcome of the cuts to the NSA being reported days before this tragedy:

 

“This year marks the first time that local NWS offices have stopped round-the-clock operations in the agency’s history”

And:

 

“Cuts to the weather service by Trump and the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) have left NWS local forecast offices critically understaffedthroughout this year’s heightened severe weather. In April, an internal document reportedly described how cuts could create a situation of “degraded” operations – shutting down core services one by one until it reaches an equilibrium that doesn’t overtax its remaining employees.”

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/01/severe-weather-nws-trump-cuts

 

[Eric Loh]

A true leader in a national disaster situation should demonstrate resilence and accountability, addressed criticism constructively and focus on solutions rather than blame. He should communicate clearly and transparently and guide his team to manage the crisis effectively. Have not seen much of this from Trump but clearly see the politicization of federal disaster.

[jerrymahoney]

Head of local weather warnings takes early retirement as NOAA cuts continue
 

Posted: Apr 21, 2025 / 11:33 AM CDT

Updated: Jul 7, 2025 / 10:14 PM CDT

 

The importance of experience in the WCM role cannot be overstated. Ensuring ample and timely warning to the Central Texas counties covered by NWS Austin/San Antonio is among the chief responsibilities.

 

Yura’s final date of employment, April 30, comes just before severe weather season in Central Texas typically peaks in the month of May.

 

As for a replacement to the WCM, the current hiring freeze, as mentioned by Yura in his message, may make filling that role more challenging.

 

Staffing at NWS Austin/San Antonio
According to the NWS Austin/San Antonio website, the office is already short two meteorologist positions currently listed as vacant. The positions of ‘lead meteorologist’ and ‘meteorologist’ remain open. Separately, NWS Austin/San Antonio have a vacant ‘electronics technician’ position.

 

https://www.kxan.com/weather/weather-blog/head-of-local-weather-warnings-takes-early-retirement-as-noaa-cuts-continue/

[mogandave]

Had only Harris won the kids would still be alive!!!!!

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, mogandave said:

Had only Harris won the kids would still be alive!!!!!

 

 

Had Harris won she wouldn’t have gutted the National Weather Service.

[SLOWHAND225]

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Had Harris won she wouldn’t have gutted the National Weather Service.

 

You're lying again. Gutted the NWS ? What kind of definition do you use to get there ?
I'd enjoy seeing the numbers.

Staffing had zero to do with this, its just your mental illness creeping out.

In 2016 we got 34" of rain in 20hrs, lost everything we owned. Not a single warning was issued until it had begun and guess what ? The NWS was a bloated pig at the time. 
So who do you blame then ?

 

[sharot724]

Ted Cruz ensured Trump spending bill slashed weather forecasting funding

 

Fact Check: Did Donald Trump Defund NOAA, the Service That Helps With Weather Predictions and Alerts?

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

So who do you blame then ?

“That was an act of God,” Leavitt said. “It’s not the administration’s fault that the flood hit when it did. But there were early and consistent warnings, and again, the National Weather Service did its job.”

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/07/white-house-national-weather-service-texas-00441692

[jerrymahoney]

City manager reflects on the morning of the Fourth of July flooding in exclusive interview with Kerrville Daily Times
By HAELEY CARPENTER/The Kerrville Daily Times Jul 8, 2025 Updated 22 hrs ago 

 

KERRVILLE — Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice left from his normal run by the river in Louise Hays Park at 4 a.m. Friday; an hour and a half later, he was back at the park with weather officials evacuating people from the flood.

 

Many people have asked Rice if he saw any signs of the flood coming on his run, and he repeatedly has said that there was light rain but that no one could have anticipated this. 

 

“When you're running in Kerrville, you know where the water levels are,” Rice said. “They weren’t higher than they were under any other abnormal or normal circumstances.”

 

https://lufkindailynews.com/news/community/city-manager-reflects-on-the-morning-of-the-fourth-of-july-flooding-in-exclusive-interview/article_d0e40ebc-e944-4580-b6b5-5e720997ab2a.html

[SLOWHAND225]

5 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

“That was an act of God,” Leavitt said. “It’s not the administration’s fault that the flood hit when it did. But there were early and consistent warnings, and again, the National Weather Service did its job.”

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/07/white-house-national-weather-service-texas-00441692

What are you going on about ? 
Read my entire post, especially the part you cut out

 

[jerrymahoney]

You asked a question who do you blame for your losses in the 2016 flood.

 

I answered (courtesy of Ms. Leavitt): God

[bendejo]

The US is a poor country that doesn't have money for this disaster relief, those people need to follow Mitch McConnell's advice and "get over it."  The gov't needs all the money it can muster for tax breaks for the very rich.

MAGA baby!

 

[Chomper Higgot]

And now we learn the Trump Administration did not authorize FEMA search and rescue until 72hours after the floods hit:

 

https://www.rawstory.com/amp/kristi-noem-texas-2673042686-2673042686