‘Texans Are Tough’: Cornyn Praises Heroic Rescues, Mourns Losses in Wake of Flash Flood Tragedy

Texas is unified in prayer and rescue efforts as the flooding hazard remains, Sen. John Cornyn shared on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” this morning.

As of Sunday afternoon, CNN reported the death toll from Friday’s devastating flash flood in Central Texas had risen to 68, with 11 young girls still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River.

At least 41 people are known to be missing, Gov. Greg Abbott revealed at a Sunday afternoon briefing. Additionally, Cornyn noted, it is unknown how many Fourth of July day campers may have been lost because they didn’t have to register with anybody. 

While it “was a 100-year flood event in an area that had been known to flood,” it had never flooded this much and this quickly, Cornyn said.

“The flood waters rose 26 feet in about 45 minutes in the middle of the night,” he explained.

The senator hailed the heroic effort to rescue those caught in the flash flood.

“It’s a very sad time,” Cornyn said, “but it’s also a time when 850-plus campers were accounted for and recovered.”

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, announced his two daughters who attended Camp Mystic were evacuated and he and his wife are now reunited with them.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem commended a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer who, she said, “saved an astonishing 165 victims” during “the first rescue mission of his career.”

President Donald Trump and Noem ensured Abbott’s request for federal disaster relief was fulfilled.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a July 5 X post his office is ready to aid victims of the flood in any way it can.  

Cornyn said Texans are united in praying for “those who are grieving and those who are still unaccounted for” as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared July 6 a day of prayer.

Cornyn warned Texans that they still must pay attention to weather reports and local and state officials “to be safe because the danger is not completely over.”

“Texans are tough, but we’re also understanding that people are grieving, and it’s a very sad time,” Cornyn said.

Sunday afternoon, a video emerged on social media reportedly of Camp Mystic survivors riding on a bus after the flood hit. As they passed raging waters and widespread devastation, the children were singing hymns.