At least 50 lives have been tragically lost, including 15 children, in the catastrophic flash floods that have ravaged Texas, with rescue teams frantically searching for over 20 girls missing from a summer camp engulfed by the rising waters. The disaster struck Kerr County along the Guadalupe River, where an unprecedented deluge unleashed months’ worth of rain in mere hours, catching both children and adults off guard as they slept.

Rescue operations near Camp Mystic are ongoing, but the situation is dire. Authorities have confirmed the recovery of 43 bodies—28 adults and 15 children—with some victims still pending identification. Despite the grim discoveries, rescuers remain relentless in their mission, vowing to locate every individual affected by this tragedy.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has urgently requested additional federal resources from President Donald Trump, who expressed his heartbreak over the disaster and pledged full federal support for the recovery efforts. However, questions are emerging about whether recent cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have hampered the state’s preparedness for such extreme weather events, raising concerns about the adequacy of early warning systems.

As the search for survivors intensifies, the flood watch remains in effect, with more rain expected in the area. Local officials are facing scrutiny over the lack of early evacuations at Camp Mystic, where many children were present for Fourth of July celebrations. Eyewitness accounts reveal the suddenness of the flood, with one survivor recounting how she clung to a mattress for three hours before being rescued.

As Texas grapples with this unprecedented disaster, the immediate focus is on finding the missing and supporting the grieving families. The state has declared a day of prayer for the survivors and the courageous rescue teams risking their lives in the search. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated—Texas needs help, and it needs it now.