LagosExplorer reports that the death toll from the catastrophic flash floods that swept across central Texas on Friday has now surged past 100, with search teams still combing through devastated areas as hopes for finding survivors dwindle.
The disaster, which struck with terrifying force during July 4 celebrations, has left dozens missing and entire communities in mourning.
The hardest-hit area, Kerr County, has recorded at least 84 confirmed deaths—56 adults and 28 children—after the Guadalupe River burst its banks following torrential downpours. Among the dead are 27 girls and staff members from Camp Mystic, a prominent Christian all-girls summer camp. Ten girls and a counsellor from the camp remain unaccounted for, deepening the sense of grief and fear.
Local officials say identification efforts are ongoing, with 22 adults and 10 children yet to be named. The scene is one of heartbreak and devastation, as emergency crews, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster, battle not only the aftermath but also continued thunderstorms that threaten to bring even more flooding to the region.
Tragedy struck even harder with the news that 70-year-old Richard Eastland, co-owner and director of Camp Mystic, died heroically while trying to rescue children from the rising waters. Local pastor Del Way, a close friend of the Eastland family, said the entire community is mourning the loss of a man who gave his life trying to save others.
While the nation reels from the tragedy, political tensions have emerged, with critics questioning whether staffing cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) and its parent agency, NOAA, may have hindered the disaster response. However, the White House has firmly denied any connection between budget cuts and the flood’s impact.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the disaster “an act of God” and stressed that the NWS had issued early and repeated warnings in the lead-up to the floods. According to her, five NWS personnel were on duty overnight—consistent with standard protocol for severe weather shifts—and flood alerts were issued well before the river breached.
Despite assurances, the public outcry continues as Texans confront one of the deadliest flood events in the state’s history. With rescue efforts turning increasingly into recovery operations, families are left clinging to memories while the state braces for more storms.
LagosExplorer will continue to monitor developments as the scale of the tragedy unfolds.