Texas flash flood leaves at least 13 dead and 20 still missing
In the picturesque Texas Hill Country, a tragic incident unfolded as flash floods hit Camp Mystic, a girls-only summer camp located west of Kerrville, on the banks of the Guadalupe River. As of July 6, 2025, **11 campers and one counselor remain missing** following the flood, with ongoing search and rescue efforts aiming to locate them safely[1][2].
The flood, which occurred northwest of San Antonio, caught the region off guard, with authorities stating that they did not anticipate such a catastrophic event[1]. The heavy overnight rainfall of 12 inches caused the Guadalupe River to rise an alarming 26 feet (eight meters) in just 45 minutes, leading to severe flooding[2]. The floodwaters have left dozens of roads in the affected area impassable, making the search and rescue operation particularly challenging[1].
The missing campers include several girls confirmed by their families, such as Lila Bonner and Hadley Hanna from Dallas, along with others like Kellyanne Lytal, Blakely McCrory, Eloise Peck, and Greta Toranzo[1][2]. Camp Mystic, which has sustained significant damage, currently has no power, water, or Wi-Fi, making communication with the outside world difficult[2].
Authorities have deployed a large-scale search operation involving 14 helicopters, game wardens, and specialized rescue teams actively searching the area around Camp Mystic and the Guadalupe River[2]. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has emphasized the state's full commitment to finding the missing, pledging relentless efforts to locate every camper, whether stranded or unreachable due to communication outages[2].
Families of the missing have been sharing photos and information on social media, hoping to gather any leads, while officials continue to prioritize safety and rescue above all else[2].
The Texas National Guard and the US Coast Guard have joined the rescue efforts, with approximately 500 rescue personnel and 14 helicopters currently deployed[1][2]. The flood has been declared a "mass casualty event" by Freeman Martin, director of the state's public safety department[2].
As the search continues, hopes remain high that the missing campers will be found alive or recovered safely. However, Freeman Martin has warned about another wave of rain coming to areas around San Antonio and Austin, raising concerns about potential further casualties[2].
This incident follows another tragic flash flooding event in San Antonio in mid-June, where at least 10 people lost their lives[1]. Our thoughts are with the families affected by these devastating floods, and we will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
[1] ABC News. (2025, July 6). Missing campers and counselor after Texas flood. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/missing-campers-counselor-texas-flood-78238424 [2] The Texas Tribune. (2025, July 6). Texas flood: Ongoing search for missing campers at Camp Mystic. Retrieved from https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/06/texas-flood-camp-mystic-missing-campers/
In the midst of the ongoing search and rescue efforts, authorities are deploying 500 rescue personnel and 14 helicopters, aiming to locate the 11 missing campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, as the flood that occurred in the Guadalupe River area, northwest of San Antonio, has been declared a "mass casualty event." Despite the ongoing concerns of another wave of rain, hopes remain high that the missing campers will be found alive or recovered safely.
