U.S. President Donald Trump visited Kerrville, Texas, on Friday to survey the devastation left by last week’s catastrophic flooding, which claimed the lives of at least 120 people and left 161 still missing across the state.
Standing alongside First Lady Melania Trump and local officials, the president toured heavily damaged areas — including sites where tractor trailers were flipped by powerful floodwaters — and pledged federal support for rebuilding efforts.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Trump said during the visit. “We’re here to express the love, support, and anguish of our entire nation.”
More than 12,000 volunteers have joined the search operation, many working 10-hour days as crews comb through wreckage for the missing.
Kerr County: The Epicenter of the Tragedy
Though flooding affected much of central Texas, Kerr County bore the brunt of the damage. Among the dead were 27 young girls attending Camp Mystic, one of 18 summer camps along the Guadalupe River — a popular area that turned deadly when the river swelled with little warning.
Search and rescue teams continue to navigate treacherous debris fields. Rajeev Fernando, Chief Medical Officer of the relief group Heal Corps, told the BBC the scope of the disaster grows daily.
“All this debris carries bodies further downstream, sometimes for miles,” Fernando said. “This is a massive, evolving operation.”
A First Lady’s Rare Public Remarks
Melania Trump, who toured the area with her husband, offered personal condolences to grieving families.
“My deepest sympathy to all the parents who lost beautiful young souls,” she said. “We are grieving with you. Our nation is grieving with you.” She added that she prayed with families and promised to return.
Questions About Early Warnings
The floods struck before dawn, with the Guadalupe River rising 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes — catching many campers and residents off guard as they slept. Some homes and summer camps had little or no time to evacuate.
In the aftermath, questions have been raised about whether flood warnings were timely or effective. Gaps in cell service, the timing of alerts, and the speed of the floodwaters have all been cited as contributing factors.
When asked by a reporter what more could have been done to warn residents, Trump bristled. “Only an evil person would ask a question like that,” he said. He praised the “heroism” of first responders and cautioned against hindsight criticism.
Recovering the Missing — and Their Memories
Joe Rigelsky, founder of the Christian aid group Upstream International, is leading cadaver dog search teams along the Guadalupe River. One such dog, Rocket, was seen working with the team during a mission joined by the BBC.
Joe’s wife, Sami Rigelsky, followed closely behind, retrieving personal belongings — a child’s necklace tangled in a tree, a baby cup with a painted snail, a throw pillow bearing the word “JOY.”
“These are just little things, but somebody’s kid played with this,” Sami said, holding up the baby cup.
She posts the recovered items on a Facebook page called Found on the Guadalupe River, helping families identify missing loved ones through the remnants of their lives.
As the rescue and recovery effort stretches into its second week, officials insist they will not rest until everyone is found and every family has answers.
