'100-year catastrophe': Nearly 80 killed in Texas flash floods - What we know so far

At least 79 killed, and countless July Fourth visitors and campers missing, as flash floods wreak havoc in Texas. US President Donald Trump called it a "100-year catastrophe" and said that he would visit the flood-hit areas "probably on Friday."

"This is 100-year catastrophe, and it's just so horrible to watch," Trump said, adding that he would visit "probably on Friday."

Rescuers in Texas scrambled on Sunday to locate dozens of missing people, including children. The search efforts grew urgent as forecasters warned of more heavy rain and fresh flooding.

Also read: Texas flood: Camp Mystic director’s body found; Richard Eastland died saving camp girls

What we know so far:

'You will see death toll rise today'
Texas public safety chief Freeman Martin warned that the death toll would rise. "You will see the death toll rise today," Martin said.

Meanwhile, Texas governor Greg Abbott said, "Across the state, in all the areas affected by flooding, there are 41 known missing."

Which places are the worst affected?

The worst flooding hit Kerr County in Texas Hill Country, where flash floods along the Guadalupe River killed at least 68 people, including 28 children. Many remain missing, including 10 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic in Hunt.

In Travis County, six people died as floodwaters destroyed homes and vehicles. About 50 people were rescued, and officials shifted from emergency response to recovery, though flood watches continued.

Burnet County reported three deaths and five missing. Two deaths each were confirmed in Kendall and Williamson counties, and one in Tom Green County, where a woman was found outside her submerged car in San Angelo.

Heavy rain at wrong time in a flood-prone place

The flash floods in Texas struck at the height of the long holiday weekend, catching many people as they slept. The disaster unfolded in the Texas Hill Country, a region especially vulnerable to flash floods because its dry, compacted soil causes rainwater to race across the surface rather than being absorbed. A powerful overnight storm unleashed nearly 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain early Friday morning, setting the stage for devastation.

Also read: ‘Not going to make it’: Father of 2 dies in Texas flood while saving family; almost cut his arm ‘clean off’

Authorities had issued a flood watch on Thursday, but by 4am Friday (local time) the National Weather Service escalated it to a dire warning, citing catastrophic risks to life and property. Within little more than an hour, residents of Kerrville City saw water levels surge alarmingly, as runoff from the hills sent torrents into the Guadalupe River. The river rose an astonishing 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes, overwhelming the region.

Alerts sounded, but catastrophe followed

The National Weather Service began issuing flood advisories on Thursday, escalating to flash flood warnings overnight and ultimately declaring rare flash flood emergencies as the danger became imminent. At Mo-Ranch Camp in Hunt, officials moved hundreds of campers and church youth conference attendees to higher ground as a precaution. Nearby camps, Rio Vista and Sierra Vista, also kept a close watch on conditions, having just wrapped up their second summer session on Thursday.

Despite these measures, officials admitted they hadn’t anticipated rainfall of such intensity — a downpour equivalent to several months’ worth of rain. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said there will be a thorough review of the emergency response, including how effectively the public was warned about the looming storm.