Central Texas is reeling from one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in state history as flash floods swept through the Texas Hill Country early Friday morning, leaving at least 104 people dead, dozens still unaccounted for, and several communities devastated — especially the area surrounding Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp in Kerr County.
What Happened?
Torrential rain, intensified by remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, triggered flash floods that rapidly swelled the Guadalupe River to the height of a two-story building in mere minutes. The event blindsided residents and officials alike, with the river rising nearly 26 feet in just 45 minutes, according to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The National Weather Service had forecast up to 8 inches of rain, but the actual totals far exceeded that, causing a deadly cascade of water through multiple counties.
Camp Mystic Devastated
Among the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic, located directly along the river in Hunt, Texas. The camp had approximately 750 children on-site when the floods struck in the early hours of July 4. As of Monday, 27 campers and counselors have been confirmed dead, including several young girls from Austin and Dallas.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 10 campers and one counselor remain missing, down from initial fears that as many as 27 were unaccounted for. The camp issued a heart-wrenching statement expressing grief and appreciation for the search-and-rescue efforts, noting the lack of power, water, and Wi-Fi hampering operations in the area.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visited the site on Saturday, describing the damage as “horrendously ravaged” and pledged that the search for missing persons would not stop until “every girl who was in those cabins” is found.
Rescue Efforts Intensify
Emergency responders have been working around the clock in extreme conditions. More than 160 air rescues and 850 total evacuations have taken place across affected counties, with the U.S. Coast Guard rescuing 223 individuals, including 165 by one rescue swimmer, Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, in his first-ever mission.
President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Kerr County and confirmed plans to visit Texas later this week. “Our brave first responders are doing what they do best,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “God bless the families, and God bless Texas.”
In a sign of growing national support, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dispatched three swiftwater rescue teams to assist Texas responders.
Statewide Impact Beyond Kerr County
While Kerr County recorded 84 of the 104 deaths, neighboring regions were also hit hard:
- Travis County (includes Austin): At least 7 deaths.
- Burnet County: 4 confirmed deaths, 2 missing including the fire chief.
- Kendall County: 6 fatalities.
- Williamson County: 2 confirmed deaths.
- Tom Green County: 1 confirmed fatality.
Emergency management teams continue operations in these counties using drones, helicopters, rescue boats, and high-water vehicles.
Community and Family Tragedies
The human toll is stark and emotional. Victims include:
- 8-year-old Linnie McCown of Austin.
- 18-year-old Chloe Childress, a camp counselor from Houston.
- Eloise Peck (8) and Lila Bonner (9), are both from Dallas.
- Hadley Hanna (8), still missing.
- Blair Harber (13) and Brooke Harber (11), sisters visiting grandparents who are also missing.
Other camps along the Guadalupe River, such as Camp La Junta and Camp Waldemar, reported no casualties thanks to swift evacuations. At the Mo-Ranch Assembly, staff successfully moved 70 individuals away from the river despite lacking official evacuation orders.
One survivor, an 8-year-old girl, was swept six miles downriver before being rescued. “She said someone opened a window and she just flew out of it,” a fellow camper recalled.
Why Did the Flooding Happen So Quickly?
According to Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, the floods resulted from a rare confluence of factors: dual river forks feeding into the Guadalupe swelled simultaneously under extreme rainfall. Measurements showed the south fork of the river surged from 7 feet to 29 feet in minutes, overwhelming the entire system.
Meteorologists blamed the rapid rise on a combination of saturated terrain, hilly topography known as “flash flood alley,” and the unexpected moisture from Tropical Storm Barry’s remnants.
Local officials said there was no functional flood warning system in place for the area. “We had no reason to believe this would be anything like what happened,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who himself narrowly escaped the flood.
Search and Rebuilding Continue
Gov. Abbott emphasized that no resources would be spared in the search and rescue effort. “We will stop at nothing to ensure every last person is accounted for,” he stated during a briefing. Meanwhile, community organizations like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country have set up donation channels to support recovery.
What’s Next?
Recovery from this unprecedented disaster will take months if not years. Authorities continue to urge the public to report any missing persons and to support local aid efforts. With infrastructure damaged and roads washed away, efforts are focused on restoring access, assessing structural damage, and supporting the grieving families.
Final Thoughts
This flash flood has become one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history, striking not just buildings but the heart of communities. It has exposed the vulnerability of riverside areas like the Hill Country and raised serious questions about early warning systems and emergency preparedness. For now, families across Texas and the nation wait, mourn, and hope.
To Help Victims and Families:
Donations for flood recovery can be made through:
- Red Cross Central Texas
- Verified GoFundMe campaigns for individual families and camps.
Facts at a Glance:
- Death toll: 104 confirmed
- Still missing: 41+ people statewide, including 11 from Camp Mystic
- Hardest hit: Kerr County
- President Trump & Gov. Abbott: Declared a major disaster
- USCG rescues: 223, including 165 by one rescuer
- Flood cause: Extreme rain convergence over river forks; rapid rise
- Guadalupe River: Reached historic levels, higher than 1987 floods
