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Death Toll Rises to 70 in Central Texas Floods, Search for Missing Campers Continues

The death toll from severe flooding in central Texas has reached nearly 70, with 11 campers and a counselor still unaccounted for as rescue efforts persist.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

  • The death toll from Texas flooding has increased to nearly 70, with 59 fatalities reported in Kerr County, including 38 adults and 21 children.
  • 11 campers and a camp counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing as search and rescue operations continue amid challenging conditions.
  • Over 850 individuals have been rescued in the first 36 hours following the floods, with authorities committed to finding all missing persons.
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a day of prayer and vowed to continue search efforts until every individual is recovered from the floods.
  • Flash flood watches remain in effect as additional rain falls in central Texas, raising concerns about further flooding and complicating rescue operations.

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Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Center-leaning sources frame the Texas floods with a focus on the human impact, emphasizing the ongoing search for missing individuals and the rising death toll. They convey urgency and resilience in rescue efforts while subtly critiquing preparedness and response measures, reflecting a blend of empathy and accountability in their reporting.

The Guadalupe River at Hunt in Kerr County reached its second-highest level on record, according to the National Weather Service.

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4 articles
75%

The National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood warnings prior to the flooding disaster.

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At least 43 people were killed in Kerr County due to destructive fast-moving waters that began before sunrise Friday in the Texas Hill Country, with an unknown number of people still missing.

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The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings followed by flash flood emergencies on Friday morning, signaling imminent danger.

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The Guadalupe River has flooded over a dozen times since 1978, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Heavy rain fell at a rate of 3-4 inches per hour on July 4, with an additional 1-2 inches expected before the rain stops in the afternoon.

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The director of Heart O' the Hills Camp, Jane Ragsdale, was killed in the flooding.

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Hundreds of people are waiting at a reunification center for news about their relatives.

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A flood warning was issued overnight for at least 30,000 people due to heavy rain forecasted for the weekend.

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The Guadalupe River near Comfort, Texas, rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, causing destructive flooding.

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Authorities are committed to continuing the search until every person is located.

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Flash flood watches remained in effect as more rain fell in central Texas on Sunday.

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Authorities are facing scrutiny for not alerting residents and summer camps sooner and for potentially inadequate preparations.

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Over 850 people were rescued from the flooding in Texas, according to Governor Greg Abbott.

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Camp Mystic assured parents that if they have not been contacted directly, their child is safe and accounted for.

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A total of 237 people have been rescued or evacuated by authorities.

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11 campers and a camp counselor remain unaccounted for following severe flooding in central Texas.

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The death toll from flash floods in Kerr County rose to nearly 70 as searchers discovered more bodies on Sunday.

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59 people, including 38 adults and 21 children, were confirmed dead in Kerr County.

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Rescuers faced challenging conditions including broken trees, overturned cars, and muck-filled debris while searching for survivors.

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Articles (62)

Compare how different news outlets are covering this story.

Center (22)

"…The outlook became more bleak as searchers continued to look for the missing campers and camp counselor amid the devastation caused by the floods."

Sheriff says 11 campers, camp counselor are still missing from floods inundating central Texas
Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune
Limited access — this outlet restricts by article count and/or content type.
·8d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Local officials have insisted that no one saw the flood potential coming and have defended their actions."

Texas officials face scrutiny over response to catastrophic and deadly flooding
FortuneFortune
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·8d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…A desperate search for flood victims in Texas intensified Sunday after the Guadalupe River gushed over its banks in darkness days earlier, swallowing homes and vehicles and leaving a staggering toll of destruction."

Desperate search for Texas flood survivors intensifies: 'We will not stop.' Live updates
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·8d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Texas officials have come under intensifying scrutiny over preparations and why residents and youth summer camps that are dotted along the river were not alerted sooner or told to evacuate."

Texas officials face scrutiny over response to catastrophic and deadly flooding
ABC NewsABC News·8d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…As the floodwaters began to recede from Camp Mystic, a torrent of grief remained as the identities of some of the campers who died in the flash floods began to emerge on Saturday."

Floods turned beloved Texas camp into a nightmare. At least 27 girls remain missing
ABC NewsABC News·8d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The raging river claimed at least 43 lives, officials said on July 5, and rescuers were still searching for missing children."

Terrain and timing conspired to cause 'horrifying' Texas rainfall
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·9d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The camp was completely destroyed, and at least 43 people were dead, including 15 children."

How fast moving floods ripped through central Texas
BBC NewsBBC News·9d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…A community remains in disarray, with vehicles overturned, buildings unrecognizable and roads undrivable."

Photos show aftermath of 'catastrophic' flooding in Texas
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·9d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…At least 24 people have died after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of central Texas on Friday."

Photos show Texas floods and rescue efforts; one girls' camp said its director is among the dead
Business InsiderBusiness Insider
Limited access — this outlet restricts by article count and/or content type.
·9d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The flooding rains rapidly overwhelmed the Guadalupe River in Texas on Friday, killing at least 24 people and prompting a frantic and ongoing rescue effort."

At least 24 dead in Texas flooding; authorities search for Camp Mystic campers
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·9d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The monstrous, swift-moving flood that swept through the Hill Country of west-central Texas Friday, killing at least 13 and leaving nearly two dozen missing, was a flash flood, the nation’s top storm-related killer."

Flash floods like the one that swept through Texas are the nation's top storm-related killer
Associated PressAssociated Press·10d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Months worth of heavy rain fell in a matter of hours on Texas Hill Country, killing at least 13 people and leaving more than 20 girls attending a summer camp unaccounted for Friday as search teams conducted boat and helicopter rescues in the fast-moving flood water."

At least 13 dead in Texas floods and more than 20 children missing from a girls summer camp
FortuneFortune
Limited access — this outlet restricts by article count and/or content type.
·10d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Thirteen people are dead and more than 20 people unaccounted for after heavy rain lashed Texas, leading to "catastrophic" flooding."

Texas flooding updates: 13 dead, more than 20 campers unaccounted for
ABC NewsABC News·10d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…A "catastrophic" and deadly flooding emergency was unfolding in Texas on the Fourth of July as heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to rapidly rise."

Deadly and 'catastrophic' flooding unfolding along Texas' Guadalupe River
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·10d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

Authorities have deployed up to 500 people on the ground, along with 14 state helicopters and 12 drones, as part of ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing campers.

All power, Wi-Fi, and water have been shut off at Camp Mystic following catastrophic flooding, significantly hindering rescue and communication efforts.

Texas Game Wardens reached Camp Mystic and have begun evacuating campers, but the fate of many unaccounted individuals remains unknown at this time.

Flash flood watches remain in effect as additional rain falls in central Texas, complicating rescue operations and raising concerns about further flooding.

Families of missing children have been individually contacted, and authorities have reassured them of ongoing search efforts. Social media is being used by families to share information and raise awareness.

History

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