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FLORIDA - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Sunday that the state is deploying swiftwater rescue teams to assist Texas following one of the deadliest flash flooding events in recent history.
In a statement shared on social media, DeSantis confirmed that the Florida Division of Emergency Management will send three swiftwater rescue teams to Kerrville, Texas.
The deployment is being carried out under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a national agreement that allows states to provide mutual aid during times of disaster.
DeSantis emphasized Florida’s commitment to helping other states in crisis and noted that the state is prepared to provide further assistance if requested.
The flooding began early Friday morning as torrential rains overwhelmed the Guadalupe River corridor, particularly in Kerr and Kendall counties.
Fueled in part by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, the storm dumped up to 10 inches of rain in just a few hours, causing the river to surge over 26 feet in under an hour.
Flash floods ripped through several areas with little to no warning.
President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, which activated federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and unlocked critical disaster response and recovery resources.
As of Monday, officials have confirmed that at least 84 people were killed in Kerr County, including 28 children.
Another six fatalities were reported in nearby Kendall County, bringing the total death toll to over 100.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with dozens still reported missing.
Among the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River.
The camp was engulfed by the floodwaters early Friday morning, and at least 27 campers and staff members were confirmed dead.
Camp director Dick Eastland was also among the deceased, reportedly found several miles downstream after allegedly attempting to rescue children as waters surged.
Authorities have faced growing scrutiny over the lack of warnings issued before the flood.
According to Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., no flood alerts or sirens sounded before the water hit, despite weather watches being in place the night before.
Emergency management officials are now investigating the timeline of alerts and the performance of warning systems.
So far, over 850 individuals have been rescued by local and federal teams.
The Texas National Guard, FEMA, and several county emergency services are continuing coordinated efforts along the riverbanks and in rural regions that were hit hardest.
Florida’s contribution of swiftwater specialists adds to a broader effort to stabilize the region, assist survivors, and continue the search for those still missing.
The situation remains fluid as communities across Central Texas recover from the most catastrophic flooding in decades.