Washington, (Agencies) 15 July 2025 – The United States is grappling with widespread flooding across multiple regions, with Texas and the Northeast bearing the brunt of the devastation. The death toll in Texas alone has climbed to at least 132, with Kerr County accounting for 106 fatalities, including 36 children, following the catastrophic overflow of the Guadalupe River on July 4.
Search and rescue operations continue under difficult conditions, hampered by renewed thunderstorms and saturated terrain. Officials report that over 2,000 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies are involved in the effort, with more than 100 people still missing, many of them believed to be tourists attending holiday events. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sweeping away trailers, homes, and campers.
Among the most tragic incidents was the destruction of Camp Mystic, a youth camp in Kerr County, where 27 counselors and campers lost their lives. The camp’s executive director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, died while attempting to rescue children from rising waters.
President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration, expanding federal assistance to 10 counties, including Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green. Flags across Texas are being flown at half-staff in honor of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Northeast is facing its own crisis. New York City, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut were inundated by torrential rains on July 14, prompting flash flood warnings and a state of emergency declaration by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy2. Rainfall rates exceeded 2 inches per hour, with some areas receiving up to 6 inches overnight.
In New York City, floodwaters poured into subway stations, including 28th Street, where platforms were submerged. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended several subway lines, and Metro-North Railroad service was delayed between Manhattan and the Bronx. Major highways such as the Saw Mill River Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway were closed due to flooding and debris.
Rescue operations were underway in Westchester County, where vehicles were stranded and submerged. In Elmsford, Valhalla, and Nanuet, streets turned into rivers, and mall parking lots were flooded. Emergency crews used frontloaders to evacuate residents in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where buses and ambulances were trapped in high water.
Air travel was severely disrupted, with ground stops issued at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, causing delays of up to three hours3. Passengers reported circling in the air for extended periods due to congestion and weather-related restrictions.
The National Weather Service warned that although rainfall had eased by late Monday, flood threats persisted in Staten Island, eastern Pennsylvania, and southeast New York, with additional storms forecast through midweek.
Officials across affected states are urging residents to avoid travel, monitor alerts, and report missing persons. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has cautioned against scams targeting flood victims and advised vigilance when sharing personal information.