Somalia sends condolences as Texas flood deaths rise to 70

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Federal Republic of Somalia has extended its deepest condolences to the United States following catastrophic flash floods that have ravaged central Texas, killing at least 70 people and leaving dozens still missing, including children from a summer camp near Kerrville.

In a statement released on Sunday by Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the government expressed profound sympathy to the American people and leadership, calling the event “a tragic natural disaster” and voicing solidarity with all those affected.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia stands in unwavering solidarity with the United States during this time of profound sorrow,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, especially those impacted by the tragedy in Kerr County, and with all communities enduring the effects of this natural disaster.”

The flash floods were triggered by a sudden and intense storm system that swept across the Texas Hill Country early Friday morning, causing rivers to swell at a dangerous pace. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes, catching many residents and vacationers off guard as homes were washed away, vehicles submerged, and entire areas left isolated.

Among the most heart-wrenching scenes unfolded at Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp nestled along the riverbanks in Kerr County. Authorities confirmed that 11 campers and one counselor remain missing. Families began returning to the shattered site on Sunday to search for belongings and seek closure.

“We will keep searching until everybody is found,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, who confirmed that 70 bodies have been recovered in his county alone — including 21 children. “We owe that to the families.”

As families walked through the flood-damaged camp, many broke down in tears at the sight of twisted bunk beds, drenched clothing, and broken cabins. One man was seen walking along the riverbank, peering into clumps of trees and under rocks, hoping to spot any sign of his daughter’s belongings. A woman and a teenage girl dressed in rubber waders embraced and wept outside a wrecked cabin. Another family left the camp carrying a blue footlocker, their faces marked by grief.

The search and rescue effort has mobilized an enormous response across multiple counties. In total, fatalities have been reported in six counties: Kerr (59), Travis (4), Burnet (3), Kendall (2), Tom Green (1), and Williamson (1). Emergency crews, supported by helicopters, drones, and boats, have rescued more than 850 people in the first 36 hours of the disaster. Dozens remain unaccounted for, and authorities have yet to release a full estimate of the missing.

President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, enabling federal resources through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist local and state efforts.

“These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost and many still missing,” Trump said in a statement posted on social media. “The entire nation stands with Texas during this time of grief.”

Despite official warnings, concerned families and volunteers continued to search flood-stricken areas on foot, often combing the riverbanks themselves as hopes of finding more survivors faded with each passing hour. Heavy machinery teams worked nearby to remove debris, uprooted trees, and tangled branches from the water.

Meanwhile, questions are mounting over whether sufficient warnings were issued and adequate preparations made in a region historically prone to deadly flash floods. Hill Country’s rugged terrain and narrow river canyons have long made it vulnerable to rapid water rises — a hazard that experts say has been intensified by increasingly extreme weather patterns.

The statement from Somalia, a country also no stranger to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, emphasized international empathy and solidarity in the face of shared vulnerability.

“Somalia reaffirms its heartfelt sympathy and profound regard for the leadership and people of the United States as they navigate this difficult moment,” the ministry said.

The two countries have long-standing ties, particularly in areas of humanitarian cooperation, counterterrorism, and diaspora relations.  

With more rainfall forecast in the coming days and flash flood watches still in effect across parts of central Texas, officials warned that dangers remain and that the recovery process will be long and difficult.

For the families of the missing, however, the focus remains on finding their loved ones and honoring the lives lost.