FnF News
“Texas Declares Total Disaster: Abbott Faces Crisis as Floods Kill 82 and Summer Camps Go Silent”
By Khadija Khan | FNF News | July 8, 2025
Austin, TX — The floodwaters that tore through Central Texas over the July 4th weekend have left a grim legacy. At least 82 people are confirmed dead, dozens more remain missing, and Governor Greg Abbott today declared the flooding a “total disaster” — both in human cost and infrastructure damage.
Speaking at a press briefing aired live by NBC News, Abbott detailed the scale of the destruction and urged the public to prepare for more. “This is not over,” he warned, as new rounds of storms loom. Federal agencies, National Guard units, and emergency teams are now engaged in the largest search-and-rescue mobilization Texas has seen since Hurricane Harvey.
Lives Lost, Families Shattered
Among the dead are 28 children, most of whom had been attending Camp Mystic, a summer retreat in Kerr County. The Guadalupe River rose more than 25 feet in under 45 minutes, submerging cabins and wiping out entire roads. Rescue crews continue to search for over 40 missing individuals, including campers, staff, and local residents.
Helicopters, boats, and divers are being deployed day and night in an attempt to reach isolated regions, some of which remain without power or cell service. “We’re still hoping for miracles,” Abbott said, his voice tight with urgency.
Federal Aid Activated, But Anger Builds
President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking federal assistance and FEMA deployment across 57 counties. But criticism is mounting over what some call a failure of early warning systems.
In several counties, sirens failed to activate and flood alerts were delayed. Parents of missing children have accused local authorities of “criminal negligence” for not ordering evacuations earlier. In one viral moment, a mother shouted during the press conference: “They knew the storm was coming. Why didn’t they say something sooner?”
Infrastructure Collapsing
- More than 380,000 homes are without power.
- Hundreds of bridges and roads across Burnet, Blanco, and Travis Counties have been destroyed or remain underwater.
- Water plants have failed in at least six towns, forcing emergency distribution of bottled water and sanitation supplies.
Texas DOT officials warned that full road access may not be restored for weeks, and certain flood-prone zones could be condemned altogether.
Political Pressure and Public Fury
Governor Abbott, who was re-elected in 2024 on promises of “resilience and reform,” is now under scrutiny. Civil rights groups and local Democrats are demanding a formal investigation into flood readiness and warning system gaps.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders like Senator Ted Cruz and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick have vowed to deliver emergency relief packages and launch bipartisan hearings into the state’s emergency infrastructure failures.
Community Response: Faith, Firefighters, and Front-Line Volunteers
Texans, however, have not waited for the bureaucracy to act. Volunteer groups like the Cajun Navy, local churches, and even off-duty firefighters have launched door-to-door search operations.
Shelters in Austin, San Marcos, and New Braunfels are overwhelmed, and local businesses have converted spaces into temporary housing. Medical tents have been set up outside flooded hospitals. The Texas State Guard has initiated aerial supply drops in rural counties cut off by water.
Looking Ahead: More Rain, More Risk
The National Weather Service warns that additional storms are forming in the Gulf and may strike already-soaked regions by Thursday. Abbott said he’s requested military engineering units from neighboring states to help reinforce levees and construct temporary flood walls.
But with riverbanks still unstable and no firm timeline for drainage or recovery, Central Texas remains in a state of constant alarm.