More than 100 people have lost their lives after devastating floods swept through Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, marking one of the deadliest disasters in the state’s recent history. As rescue operations continue, families are left heartbroken and many are demanding answers.

The flooding began in the early hours of Friday when relentless rain caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than 26 feet in under an hour—roughly the height of a two-story building. Entire communities were caught off guard. Kerr County suffered the worst blow, reporting 84 fatalities, including 28 children.

Among the victims were 27 girls and their counselors who were staying at Camp Mystic, a popular all-girls Christian summer camp that housed around 750 people. The flood struck as most campers were asleep. When rescuers arrived, they found smashed cabin windows, submerged rooftops, and children's teddy bears and blankets buried in thick mud.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that continued rainfall could make the situation worse. Over 1,700 rescue workers, along with helicopters, boats, and search dogs, have been deployed to locate the missing and assist survivors.

President Donald Trump announced he would visit Texas on Friday, while also defending his administration against criticism that staffing gaps at federal weather agencies may have slowed the response. The White House emphasized that weather forecasts and warnings were issued promptly.

Still, many Texans are grappling with why more wasn’t done to alert residents sooner. Central Texas is infamously known as “Flash Flood Alley,” yet some communities lack robust warning systems. Nicole Wilson, a mother from San Antonio who nearly sent her daughters to Camp Mystic, started a petition urging the state to upgrade its alert infrastructure.

“Five minutes of a siren could have saved every single one of those children,” Wilson said tearfully.

At a candlelight vigil in San Antonio, hundreds gathered to mourn. “I was shocked by how massive this tragedy is,” said Rebeca Gutierrez, 29. “I hope this pushes for real preventative measures so it never happens again.”

Meanwhile, volunteers like Louis Deppe, 62, continue to comb through debris along the riverbanks, hoping to bring closure to grieving families. “We’re helping the parents of two missing kids,” he said. “Their last message was, ‘We’re being washed away,’ before the phone went silent.”

Experts point to climate change as a major factor in the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather. Central Texas saw months’ worth of rainfall in just a few hours, turning peaceful rivers into deadly torrents.

As communities clean up and mourn, many hope this tragedy will lead to stronger safeguards and ensure that next time, more lives are spared.