VERY SAD NEWS: Dolly Parton recently returned from flood relief efforts and shared that it was a heartbreaking tragedy. “Oh, those children… are so pitiful,” she said with deep sadness. She expressed her condolences to the children’s families and said they would soon be in God’s loving arms.

At Least 51 Killed in Texas Floods as Families Mourn and Questions Mount

Kerr County, TX — At least 51 people are confirmed dead following the catastrophic flash flooding that swept through central Texas on July 4, with dozens still missing and search and rescue operations continuing around the clock. Among the missing are five members of one man’s family, lost in the chaos as waters surged from the Guadalupe River, overtaking campsites, homes, and roads with little warning.

Authorities say at least 15 children are among the dead, with five still awaiting formal identification. The hardest-hit area, Kerr County, accounts for 43 of the confirmed fatalities, including both children and adults. Additional deaths were reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, and Tom Green counties.

Xavier Ramirez, 23, of Midland, told NBC News that five members of his extended family are among the missing — including his mother, stepfather, uncle, aunt, and cousin. Another cousin was found clinging to a tree 20 miles downstream from their campground in Ingram.

Ramirez said one of the trucks the group had taken shelter in was later discovered crushed and flipped against a tree near the campground. “My uncle was lost to the waters,” he said, “but others managed to reach higher ground.”

The flooding, triggered by torrential rainfall in the early hours of July 4, caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly — in some areas by over 22 feet in just two hours. A nearby river gauge failed after recording a height of 29.5 feet. Officials described the deluge as equivalent to several months’ worth of rain falling in only a few hours.

Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, was one of the hardest hit locations. Twenty-seven campers and counselors remain unaccounted for, with recovery teams continuing to search the area. The camp community and emergency responders have worked tirelessly, even as grief deepens.

As the human toll mounts, officials are facing increasing scrutiny over flood preparedness. Many residents and parents are questioning why more advanced warnings and evacuation efforts were not in place — especially for vulnerable sites like summer camps situated along known flood-prone rivers.

While the National Weather Service (NWS) and private forecaster AccuWeather did issue flash flood warnings in advance of the storm, officials say the intensity of the flooding was beyond all predictions. “We know we get rain. We know the river rises,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. “But nobody saw this coming.”

Judge Kelly revealed that years ago the county considered installing a flood siren system along the Guadalupe River, similar to tornado warnings, but the plan was abandoned due to public concerns over cost.Now, families are left grieving — and searching — amid growing calls for accountability and climate-resilient infrastructure. “We want answers, but more than anything, we want our people found,” Ramirez said.

As efforts continue, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vowed ongoing support, while federal officials acknowledge that outdated technology and budget shortfalls have left many communities vulnerable.“The mission is not over,” Abbott said. “And we will not rest until everyone is accounted for.”