On a quiet Friday morning, central Texas was struck by a catastrophe no one saw coming. Flash floods tore through the region, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak. As of July 6, 2025, the death toll has climbed to 71, including 21 children, with 11 girls and one counselor still missing from Camp Mystic, a beloved all-girls summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The tragedy has shaken communities, drawn national attention, and prompted an outpouring of grief and support.
A Sudden and Deadly Deluge
The floods began before dawn, as the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, fueled by an intense downpour equivalent to months of rainfall. Homes were swept off their foundations, vehicles were carried away, and lives were lost in an instant. Kerr County, home to Camp Mystic, bore the brunt of the disaster, with 59 confirmed deaths, including 21 children. Other counties, including Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson, reported additional fatalities, bringing the total to 71.
At Camp Mystic, the floodwaters ravaged cabins, leaving behind soaked mattresses, scattered clothes, and haunting remnants like children’s T-shirts, which rescuers have laid out along the riverbank to dry. Among the missing are 11 girls and a counselor, their whereabouts unknown as search teams comb debris fields. The scene is one of devastation: families sift through waterlogged ruins, some clutching keepsakes like a camp bell or a blue footlocker, while others weep openly, grappling with unimaginable loss.
A Desperate Search for Survivors
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with crews using helicopters, boats, drones, and even volunteers on horseback to navigate the rugged terrain. Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd emphasized the focus on finding “live victims,” urging the public to avoid using the term “recovery” prematurely. “We’re doing everything we can to find their missing loved ones,” Kidd said, highlighting the compassion driving the efforts.
Despite the tireless work, hope is fading with each passing hour. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, speaking to NBC, expressed a longing for miracles but acknowledged the grim reality. “It is my hope that miracles still happen,” he said. Meanwhile, families of the missing, including two school-age sisters from Dallas whose grandparents are also unaccounted for, wait anxiously for news.
A Region on Edge
The danger is far from over. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned that more heavy rainfall is expected, threatening flash flooding in already saturated areas like Big Country, Concho Valley, and Kerrville. In Hunt, an unincorporated community in Kerr County, emergency alerts have urged residents and CNN crews to seek higher ground due to reports of a potential “water wall.” “The ground is already saturated,” Kidd explained. “Any rain that falls can be perceived as life-threatening.”
Highway 39, connecting Hunt to Ingram, was clogged with evacuating vehicles as the threat loomed. Abbott stressed that while the state is broadening its focus to other regions, Kerrville remains a priority, with 24/7 operations and federal resources, including FEMA, activated after President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration.
Stories of Survival and Loss
Survivors’ accounts paint a harrowing picture. At Camp Mystic, a group of girls clung to a rope strung by rescuers, braving whipping floodwaters to cross a bridge to safety. Others across the region held onto trees or fled to attics as the waters rose. Among the confirmed dead are an 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, and the director of a nearby camp, underscoring the tragedy’s far-reaching impact.
The Guadalupe River, a cherished spot for summer camps and outdoor recreation, has long been part of “flash flood alley,” but the scale of this disaster caught even seasoned residents off guard. Despite warnings from the National Weather Service on Thursday and flash flood emergencies issued early Friday, the intensity of the downpour overwhelmed preparations. At Mo-Ranch Camp in Hunt, officials moved hundreds of campers to higher ground, a decision that likely saved lives.
A Community in Mourning, a Nation Responds
The tragedy has sparked a wave of support. Gov. Abbott declared Sunday a day of prayer, urging Texans to honor the lost, the missing, and those on the front lines. From Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered condolences, specifically for the families who lost daughters at Camp Mystic. President Trump, in a social media post, called the loss “unimaginable,” pledging federal aid.
Questions linger about whether enough was done to warn and prepare communities in this flood-prone region. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy acknowledged the inevitable second-guessing but emphasized the focus on rescue and recovery. For now, families and volunteers persist, searching riverbanks despite official pleas to stay clear, driven by hope and desperation.
How to Help
As central Texas begins the long road to recovery, the nation rallies behind it. To support those affected, visit CNN Impact Your World for ways to contribute.
This disaster has left an indelible mark on Texas, a reminder of nature’s power and the fragility of life. As the search continues, the state holds its breath, praying for miracles and mourning those already lost.
