Death Toll Rises in Texas Floods as Authorities Piece Together What Went Wrong

Historic flooding has brought the death toll in Texas to 95 people. First responders work to find missing people in the debris and waterways, covering over 60 miles.

"I need to tell my community and those families who are waiting, this will be a rough week. Primary search continues, and we remain hopeful — every foot, every mile, every bend of the river," said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr.

Kerr County saw 75 people dead, 27 of those being children. Many children were from an all-girls private summer camp near the Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic. As of Monday, 10 campers are still missing, along with one camp counselor. 

In a statement on its website, Camp Mystic officials wrote, "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly."

Travis, Burnet, Tom Green, Kendall and Williamson Counties reported at least 20 people dead after the storms. The catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas matches only that of the deadly flooding after Hurricane Helene. These are the two deadliest U.S. disasters driven by rainfall since 1976.

“Hearing the screams because you couldn't see anything, it was pitch black, but hearing people's screams, kids screaming, asking for help, cars were floating away with the lights on. You could see the lights and you can hear honking. And there was like not one or two, but there were dozens of vehicles just floating away and I was just, it was just too much," said Lorena Guillen, the owner of a local restaurant.