Death Toll from Texas Floods Rises to 82, Dozens Still Missing

The death toll from devastating floods in Texas has risen to 82, with dozens still missing as rescue teams continue to search through the debris left by the record-breaking disaster.

Heavy rains over the weekend caused rivers across the Texas Hill Country to overflow, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and campsites. The floods hit Kerr County particularly hard, where many of the victims were children attending a summer camp near the riverbanks.

Local authorities reported that at least 41 people remain missing, while emergency crews and volunteers continue search-and-rescue operations by boat and helicopter across multiple counties affected by the fast-rising waters. Hundreds of people have been rescued, but many areas remain inaccessible due to washed-out roads and damaged bridges.

The flooding followed intense rainfall that caused rivers to rise rapidly, catching many residents off guard despite weather warnings. Officials have described the event as one of the worst flood disasters in the region’s history, with entire neighborhoods submerged and power outages reported across affected areas.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency, urging residents to remain vigilant as the region braces for the possibility of more rain in the coming days. Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced families, while efforts are underway to restore electricity and clean water to communities impacted by the floods.

The floods have reignited concerns about the region’s preparedness for extreme weather events, as Texas continues to face the growing risks of climate-related disasters.

With input from Al Jazeera