Devastating Texas floods claim at least 51 lives, with 27 girls unaccounted for as emergency workers comb through the ravaged terrain in search of the missing.
In the heart of Texas, the historic flash floods that hit Kerrville and surrounding areas last weekend have left a trail of destruction and heartbreak. The flooding along the Guadalupe River, part of the July 2025 Central Texas floods, has resulted in at least 82 confirmed deaths and 41 people missing across several counties, with Kerr County being the hardest hit area.
The tragedy unfolded at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp near Hunt, about 13 miles west of Kerrville. The floodwaters claimed at least 27 lives of campers and counselors, with 11 girls and 1 counselor still missing as of July 6. The number of missing initially reported was 27, but a subsequent search revealed that some of the missing had been found safe.
The flooding was preceded by a weekend forecast that called for rain, with a flood watch upgraded to a warning overnight Friday for at least 30,000 people. The Guadalupe River, swelling rapidly after the heavy rainfall, led to widespread devastation in Kerrville and surrounding communities, with the river surge reaching dangerous levels in multiple locations.
Search and rescue efforts are currently underway, supported by local authorities, federal assistance, and various resources such as helicopters, boats, drones, and Coast Guard helicopters and planes. The operations continue even in darkness to ensure the safety of those still missing.
Governor Greg Abbott has declared Sunday a day of prayer for the state and promised continuous efforts to locate survivors and recover the missing. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy has referred to the flooding in Kerr County as a once-in-a-century flood. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has pledged that the Trump administration will use all available resources to aid in the relief efforts.
Disaster declarations have been granted to Kerr County and affected areas, enabling federal grants for recovery. Individuals affected by the floods are encouraged to apply for assistance through FEMA programs. Flood watches remain in effect as of July 7, with warnings of continued flooding risk, and emergency operations continue to focus on search, rescue, and recovery amid challenging conditions.
The Hill Country, where the flooding occurred, is known to be one of the most flash-flood-prone areas of the U.S. due to its terrain and many water crossings. Residents in some areas, such as Ingram, had to cling to trees and flee to attics as the fast-moving waters rose.
The National Weather Service and AccuWeather issued warnings about potential flash flooding hours before the event. Several camps and conferences in the area, including Mo-Ranch Camp and Camps Rio Vista and Sierra Vista, took precautions and evacuated people to higher ground before the flooding.
Locals refer to the area as "flash flood alley" due to its terrain and water crossings. People are still coming to the reunification center looking for their loved ones.
The flooding in Kerr County, Texas, has resulted in at least 43 deaths, including 15 children. The community is working together to cope with the loss and rebuild in the aftermath of this devastating event.
The general news coverage in Texas has expanded to include the heartbreaking crime-and-justice story unfolding at Camp Mystic, where 15 children, along with several adults, lost their lives in the flash floods that swept through Kerr County. Despite the ongoing weather challenges, as the flood watches continue, authorities are intensifying their efforts to find the missing camper and counselor.
