The catastrophic flash flooding in Texas has grown increasingly tragic, with the number of missing people rising dramatically to 161 — quadrupling from the previously reported 40. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the updated figures on Tuesday, stating that the death toll has reached 109, surpassing the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. He stressed that the rising number includes individuals reported missing by friends, neighbors, and relatives, and warned that the figures may continue to increase.

One of the hardest-hit areas is Kerr County, where 87 deaths have been recorded. A particularly heartbreaking tragedy unfolded at Camp Mystic, a popular all-girls Christian summer camp, where 27 campers lost their lives and five more remain missing. The camp was overwhelmed on July 4 when the Guadalupe River surged over 30 feet above normal, creating an unstoppable wall of water. Rescue teams are still combing through the wreckage in hopes of finding survivors.

First responders on the ground described the devastation as unprecedented. Entire neighborhoods have been wiped out, with overturned vehicles, broken trees, and destroyed homes scattered throughout the region. Residents and emergency crews alike are grappling with the emotional and physical toll of the disaster as recovery efforts continue under dangerous conditions.

Governor Abbott conducted an aerial survey of the flooded zones and vowed that the state would not stop until every missing person is accounted for. In a press conference, he emphasized the urgency of the ongoing rescue mission and deflected questions about potential failures in the early alert systems. “The word choice of losers is to ask, ‘Who’s to blame?’ We’re focused on saving lives. We’ve got this,” he stated defiantly.

Despite Abbott’s reassurances, questions around the timeliness of flood warnings and the state’s preparedness remain. Many residents claim they received little or no warning before floodwaters swept through. As search and recovery efforts push forward, the people of Texas are left mourning the dead, praying for the missing, and beginning the long process of rebuilding from one of the state’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history.