At least 82 people have died in central Texas after devastating flash floods swept through the region on July 4, as search efforts enter their fourth day.
The hardest-hit area is Kerrville, a Hill Country town along the Guadalupe River, where 68 fatalities have been confirmed, 28 of them children. Rescue teams continue to search for dozens still missing, including 10 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp severely affected by the rising waters.
A total of 41 people remain unaccounted for. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been activated, and US Coast Guard helicopters and aircraft are assisting in search and rescue operations following a major disaster declaration by President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit the area in the coming days.
Authorities have urged residents across central and eastern Texas to stay on high alert, as additional heavy rainfall is forecast, potentially worsening conditions in communities already devastated by the floods.
In 2024 alone, the US experienced 27 weather and climate disasters costing at least US$1 billion each in damages. That is a staggering figure and one that cannot be ignored. These disasters are fueled by the nation's vast and diverse geography, which has everything from hurricane-prone coastlines to tornado alleys and wildfire-vulnerable regions. Additionally, human-driven climate change is intensifying these events, making them more frequent and severe.
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