Central Texas is reeling from one of the deadliest flooding events in recent U.S. history, with at least 104 confirmed deaths as of July 8, 2025, and dozens still missing. The floods, triggered by a torrential downpour on July 4, transformed the Guadalupe River into a raging torrent, devastating communities, homes, and infrastructure across the region. Kerr County, known as part of Texas’s “flash flood alley,” bore the brunt of the disaster, with officials reporting at least 84 fatalities, including 28 children. Among the most heartbreaking losses is the tragedy at Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls, where 27 campers and counselors perished, and 10 girls and one counselor remain unaccounted for. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, more rain is forecast, raising fears of further flooding in the already battered Hill Country. This report compiles the latest updates, human stories, and ongoing challenges based on recent news coverage.
The Flooding Event
The catastrophic flooding began early on July 4, 2025, when a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain across Central Texas. The Guadalupe River, a central feature of Kerr County, swelled rapidly, catching residents and visitors off guard. The National Weather Service described the event as a “once-in-a-century” deluge, with water levels rising 7 to 8 feet in some areas, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and debris. The flooding’s speed and intensity left little time for evacuation, particularly at Camp Mystic, located along the river’s banks in Hunt, Texas.
By Monday, July 7, the death toll had climbed to 104, with Kerr County reporting the majority of fatalities. Other counties, including Travis (7 deaths), Williamson (2), Burnet (3), Kendall (2), and Tom Green (1), also reported losses. The floods have displaced hundreds, destroyed countless homes, and left neighborhoods littered with flood-soaked possessions, from mattresses to Christmas decorations. Emergency officials warn that the death toll may rise as search teams comb through snapped trees, wrecked buildings, and riverbanks.
Camp Mystic Tragedy
Camp Mystic, a beloved summer retreat for generations of Texas girls, has become the heart of the tragedy. On July 4, approximately 750 campers were at the camp when floodwaters surged through the grounds. The camp’s director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, died while attempting to rescue campers, an act of heroism mourned by his grandson, George Eastland, in an Instagram tribute: “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way—saving the girls that he so loved and cared for.”
The camp confirmed the deaths of 27 campers and counselors, including 8-year-old twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-old Eloise Peck, and 9-year-old Lila Bonner. Ten girls and one counselor remain missing, with names like Lainey Landry, Greta Toranzo, Molly DeWitt, Virginia Hollis, and Janie Hunt circulating in reports. The camp’s cabins were devastated, with furniture ripped out by the current and walls collapsed. One counselor, Chloe Childress, was remembered as “loyal and beloved” by her community.
Search efforts at Camp Mystic are ongoing, with first responders and volunteers describing the scene as harrowing. “The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking,” said one official. “We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.” The camp issued a statement on Monday, expressing grief: “Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River.” Families await news of the missing, while some parents have faced online harassment, prompting Senator Ted Cruz to call for compassion: “This is a time just to reach out, support each other.”
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Search and rescue operations are in their fourth day, with nearly 1,000 first responders and volunteers converging on Kerrville. Teams include trained professionals equipped with search dogs, boats, and helicopters, though efforts were briefly disrupted when a privately owned drone collided with a rescue helicopter. Authorities have urged the public to avoid interfering with operations.
Hundreds of local volunteers have joined the effort, combing riverbanks and debris fields for survivors and remains. In one account, a counselor at Camp Mystic, Juenke, placed campers on mattresses inside the Wiggle Inn building to keep them above rising waters, a desperate attempt to save lives. Over 850 people have been rescued since the floods began, but hopes are fading for those still missing, including the 11 from Camp Mystic.
The emotional toll on rescuers is immense. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha described the recovery of 75 bodies, including 48 adults and 27 children, as a “grim job.” Senator Ted Cruz, after touring the camp, called the aftermath “the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen,” noting the complete destruction of cabins. Governor Greg Abbott declared Sunday, July 5, a day of prayer across Texas and has been coordinating with federal officials, including President Donald Trump, who pledged “all available resources” to the state.
Community Impact and Stories of Loss
Beyond Camp Mystic, the floods have claimed lives across Central Texas. Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old college student, was swept away when floodwaters collapsed a house where she was staying with friends. Julian Ryan, a 27-year-old dishwasher, drowned in his trailer home in Ingram when the river reached his doorstep. These stories highlight the indiscriminate nature of the disaster, affecting young and old, residents and visitors alike.
Communities along the Guadalupe River, from Kerrville to Center Point, are grappling with widespread destruction. Neighborhoods are unrecognizable, with homes marked by orange spray paint indicating searches for survivors or bodies. In Louise Hays Park, floodwaters left vehicles and equipment scattered like toys. Vigils have been held, including one at Travis Park in San Antonio on July 7, where mourners lit candles in memory of the victims.
Ongoing Threats and Challenges
As of July 8, more rain is forecast for the Hill Country, raising concerns about additional flooding. The National Weather Service noted that thunderstorms along the Interstate 35 corridor could exacerbate conditions, though a flood watch for the region has expired. On Sunday, an emergency alert warned search teams and residents along the Guadalupe River to move to higher ground due to the risk of renewed river flooding.
Questions have emerged about the adequacy of early warnings and staffing at National Weather Service stations. Some critics have pointed to job cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Trump administration, prompting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to call for an investigation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Senator Cruz have dismissed attempts to politicize the disaster, with Cruz stating, “Some people [are] engaging in partisan games and trying to blame their political opponents for a natural disaster.”
