Kerr County, Texas, July 7 (V7N) – A deadly combination of torrential storms and overrun waterways triggered historic flash flooding across Central Texas during the Fourth of July weekend, leaving at least 70 people dead and communities reeling from the sudden devastation. Officials and residents continue to assess the full extent of the damage as rescue operations press on.

Authorities confirmed that the worst of the flooding occurred in Kerr County, where Sheriff Larry Leitha reported the recovery of 38 adult and 21 child victims. Many of the casualties were swept away by rapidly rising waters that offered little to no warning.

One of the most harrowing scenes unfolded at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp located along the Guadalupe River, west of Kerrville. According to U.S. Geological Survey river data, water levels at a monitoring gauge near the camp surged from under 2 feet to over 34 feet in just over an hour on the night of July 4, as storms unleashed months’ worth of rainfall in a matter of hours.

The flooding struck with extraordinary speed and force, overwhelming riverbanks, campsites, and roadways. Dozens of homes were inundated, vehicles submerged, and entire communities cut off. Search and rescue teams have been deployed throughout the region, including swift water rescue crews and helicopters scanning affected areas for signs of life.

The storm system, part of a broader pattern of severe weather across the southern United States, brought even heavier rain to areas west of Kerrville, worsening conditions downstream. Flash flood warnings remained in effect across multiple counties as meteorologists warned of more rain in the coming days, raising the threat of additional flooding and landslides.

Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced residents, and the Texas National Guard has joined local agencies in managing logistics, recovery, and relief operations. State and federal disaster assistance is expected to follow.

As the region grapples with the aftermath, the flood is already being described as one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike Central Texas in recent memory. Investigations are underway to assess structural damages and to evaluate the performance of early warning systems during the rapid onset of the flood.

Local leaders have urged residents to remain alert, avoid flood-prone areas, and report missing persons. Families continue to wait for news as the search continues, particularly around the hardest-hit river communities and campgrounds.

The unprecedented speed and scale of the Guadalupe River’s rise serve as a grim reminder of the escalating intensity of weather events, as emergency planners and climate scientists call for improved preparedness in the face of increasing environmental volatility.

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