Over 100 Fatalities Confirmed in Texas Hill Country Floods, Camp Mystic Heavily Impacted

KERRVILLE, Texas – Catastrophic flash flooding swept through the Texas Hill Country over the July 4th weekend, claiming at least 121 lives, with dozens more still missing, primarily in Kerr County. The disaster particularly devastated Camp Mystic, a long-standing girls' summer camp, where 27 campers and counselors were among the confirmed fatalities. The rapid rise of the Guadalupe River, which surged 26 feet in 45 minutes, overwhelmed communities and rescue efforts.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been actively involved in the response, surveying the damage aboard a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. According to journalist Nick Sortor, who accompanied the Governor, "Gov. Abbott gives a detailed account how rescuers saved COUNTLESS lives at Camp Mystic, and what made the operation so difficult." Rescue teams have been working tirelessly amidst challenging conditions, with officials confirming over 850 people were rescued in the initial hours.

A critical challenge during the disaster was the widespread communication outage due to damaged infrastructure. In response, Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service deployed "Mini kits for search and rescue efforts – ensuring connectivity even in dead zones – and one month of free service for thousands of customers in the region." This initiative, alongside a partnership with T-Mobile enabling satellite-to-phone texting, proved vital in restoring communication for first responders and affected residents. Sortor noted that Governor Abbott "Praises the use of STARLINK to reconnect first responders."

The Governor also radioed for help for a stranded individual during his aerial survey, highlighting the on-the-ground nature of the crisis. Discussions are now underway regarding future prevention measures, with Governor Abbott expected to address the issue in a special legislative session. The response has also drawn federal attention, with the tweet mentioning discussions about "the effectiveness of President Trump’s assistance" and praise for "Trump and Noem for their rapid response."

Search and rescue operations continue in the affected areas, with authorities and volunteers navigating treacherous terrain and debris. The community faces a long road to recovery as efforts focus on accounting for all missing persons and rebuilding devastated areas.