HUNT, Texas — The death toll from the catastrophic floods that have ravaged Texas has tragically risen to at least 67, with a heartbreaking 21 of those being children. As rescue efforts continue, the search for several girls missing from a summer camp has now entered its third day.

Larry Leitha, the Sheriff of Kerr County, which has become the epicenter of these devastating floods, reported that the death toll in that specific area has reached 59, including the aforementioned 21 children. The gravity of the situation is compounded by the fact that 11 girls and a camp counselor remain unaccounted for near the Guadalupe River, which overflowed following a torrential downpour that struck central Texas on Friday, coinciding with the U.S. Independence Day holiday.

In addition to Kerr County's casualties, officials in Travis County reported four deaths related to the flooding, with 13 individuals still unaccounted for. Another fatality was reported in nearby Kendall County, while the Burnet County Sheriff's office noted two fatalities. Tragically, a woman was discovered deceased in her submerged vehicle in San Angelo, located in Tom Green County, as confirmed by the police chief.

Leitha also mentioned that there are still 18 adults and four children pending identification in Kerr County, leaving uncertainty regarding whether these individuals are included in the current death toll of 59.

In a remarkable display of community resilience, officials reported that over 850 people had been rescued, with some individuals found clinging to trees amidst the rising waters. This sudden storm unleashed up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain across the region, approximately 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio, leading to widespread panic and chaos, and it remains unclear how many more individuals are still missing.

“Everyone in the community is hurting,” Sheriff Leitha expressed in a somber address to reporters.

As the situation developed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was activated on Sunday. The agency is mobilizing resources to support first responders in Texas following a major disaster declaration issued by President Donald Trump. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Coast Guard helicopters and planes are currently aiding in the search and rescue efforts.

In light of the tragic events, some experts have raised concerns regarding whether budget cuts to the federal workforce under the Trump administration, particularly affecting the agency that oversees the National Weather Service, may have hindered officials from accurately predicting the flood's severity and issuing timely warnings. Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad pointed out that thousands of job cuts made during Trump's administration have left many weather offices understaffed, potentially compromising their ability to deliver accurate forecasts.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged that a “moderate” flood watch issued just before the disaster did not adequately anticipate the extreme rainfall, noting that the Trump administration is committed to upgrading the warning system.

Despite these tragic circumstances, the White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.

In an interview with CNN’s 'State of the Union', Joaquin Castro, a Democratic congressman from Texas, highlighted the dangers of reduced personnel at the weather service, emphasizing that having fewer experts available for analysis and predictions could lead to further tragedies in future incidents.

More rain is expected in the area as the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Kerr County until 1 p.m. local time, raising concerns that the already critical situation may worsen. The disaster unfolded rapidly on Friday morning, as rainfall exceeded forecasts, causing river waters to rise dramatically, reaching levels as high as 29 feet (9 meters).

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been proactive, requesting that Trump sign a disaster declaration to unlock federal aid for those affected by the floods. Secretary Noem confirmed that Trump would honor that request. Interestingly, Trump has previously indicated a desire to scale back the federal government's role in responding to natural disasters, suggesting that states should take on a greater share of the responsibility.

The 11 missing girls and the camp counselor are from Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp that had around 700 girls in residence at the time of the flood. The devastation within the camp was evident; one cabin displayed mud lines indicating that floodwaters had risen at least six feet (1.83 m) from the floor. Inside, bed frames, mattresses, and personal belongings were strewn about, coated in mud, and some buildings had broken windows or missing walls.

As the community of Hunt mourns its losses, the importance of preparedness and effective communication in such dire situations has never been clearer.