Trump issues disaster decree for Texas county intensely affected by flooding
In the aftermath of unprecedented rainfall on July 4, 2025, Kerr County, Texas, has been hit by a catastrophic flood that has claimed numerous lives and left many still missing. The disaster has prompted a series of emergency responses, with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard being activated for search and rescue operations.
President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, following which federal emergency management resources are being deployed to Texas first responders. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stated that they will work closely with state and local authorities to ensure support for the people of Texas. Secretary Noem also thanked President Trump for the declaration.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, posted a statement from Trump announcing the declaration, mentioning that many lives have been lost in the floods. The tragedy has resulted in an unimaginable loss of life, with many families affected. The majority of the dead in the Camp Mystic tragedy, a Christian summer camp in Texas, were recovered from the site. As of Sunday, 11 children and a camp counselor are still missing.
Rescue efforts involve multiple agencies, including the Kerr County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Military Department, which has rescued over 500 individuals across the region. However, the search efforts for the missing individuals are ongoing and have extended into the third day. The ongoing flash flood warnings have forced some first responders to temporarily withdraw, slowing search efforts.
The disaster declaration is in response to severe flooding in Kerr County, which resulted in the highest number of deaths in the region. The floods in central Texas have caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, sweeping away vehicles, homes, and cabins, leaving over 850 people rescued so far.
Authorities are actively working to locate missing persons and ensure safety, despite the changing and hazardous conditions. The situation remains critical with flood watches still in effect for Kerr County and surrounding areas as of July 7, 2025. The community and officials remain focused on locating missing individuals and controlling the disaster's aftermath.
[1] The New York Times. (2025). Catastrophic Flooding in Texas: Search and Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Challenging Conditions. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/texas-flooding-kerr-county.html [2] CNN. (2025). Deadly Flooding in Texas: Kerr County Death Toll Rises Above 68. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/07/us/texas-flooding-kerr-county/index.html [3] Associated Press. (2025). Texas Flood: Kerr County Death Toll Reaches 80, Many Still Missing. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/374082db04e84709857797c1511046b1
- Politics and general news outlets continue to report extensively on the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Kerr County, Texas, as the death toll rises from the catastrophic floods, reaching over 80 dead and many still missing.
- Beyond the tragedies of crime-and-justice and accidents, the aftermath of the Kerr County flood also involves complex political maneuvering, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem working closely with state and local authorities to manage the disaster relief efforts.
