Torrential rains ravaged central Texas, United States, on Friday, July 4, 2025, killing 59 people and leaving 27 girls missing at the Camp Mystic Christian summer camp along the Rio Guadalupe in Kerr County. The floods, triggered by over 250 millimeters of rainfall in hours, obliterated the camp and nearby residential areas, plunging the region into chaos. Rescue teams, aided by helicopters and drones, are working tirelessly, with Governor Greg Abbott vowing to continue searches until all victims are found. The disaster, one of the worst in Texas’s recent history, echoes past floods in the region, like the 1987 tragedy, and has spurred local communities to rally for donations and support for affected families.
Texas authorities face grueling conditions, with blocked roads and hard-to-reach areas, as weather alerts warn of more rain in the coming days. The flood, which raised the Rio Guadalupe’s level by nearly 9 meters in hours, caught residents and emergency teams off guard despite prior warnings. The National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard have been deployed to assist, evacuating over 800 people.
The tragedy has shaken the nation, with President Donald Trump calling it a “heartbreaking catastrophe” and pledging federal resources to aid victims. Meanwhile, families await news of loved ones at reunification points, like Ingram’s elementary school, where scenes of anguish and hope intertwine.
- Confirmed victims: 59 deaths, with 43 in Kerr County and others in nearby counties.
- Missing: 27 girls from Camp Mystic, plus other unaccounted residents.
- Rescue efforts: Over 500 responders, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones are mobilized.
A history of flooding in Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country, where the Rio Guadalupe runs through Kerr County, is dubbed the “most dangerous river valley in the U.S.” by local judge Rob Kelly. Its rugged terrain and rocky soil prevent water absorption, channeling rainfall into sudden, destructive floods. In 1987, a similar tragedy struck when a bus carrying teens from the Pot O’ Gold Christian camp was swept away in Comfort, 50 km from Hunt, killing 10.
The 2025 flood exceeded forecasts. Though the National Weather Service predicted 70 to 150 millimeters of rain from Thursday, July 3, the region saw 250 millimeters in hours. A gauge in Hunt recorded a 6.7-meter rise in the river level in two hours, failing at 9 meters.
Such recurring disasters spotlight the vulnerability of camps and communities in high-risk zones. Austin Dickson, director of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, noted the area’s “flash flood corridor” status, where water races downhill, amplifying destruction.
The nightmare at Camp Mystic
Established in 1926, Camp Mystic is a century-old Christian camp hosting girls as young as 8 for summer activities like sports, arts, and confidence-building. Situated along the Rio Guadalupe, it had about 750 campers when the flood struck. The sudden deluge, hitting at 1:30 a.m. Friday, demolished the camp, leaving debris in its wake.
Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper, described waking to thunder and pounding rain. Housed in the elevated Senior Hill area, she was airlifted to safety after crossing a bridge with water up to her knees. Younger girls, lodged in cabins by the river, were hit hardest, many fleeing to higher ground.
- Total destruction: The camp was reduced to rubble, with cabins, vehicles, and trees swept away.
- Harsh conditions: Campers were left without power, potable water, or Wi-Fi, awaiting rescue.
- Partial evacuation: Rangers evacuated campers from higher areas by Friday afternoon.
- Emotional toll: Families report anguish as many children remain missing.
Elizabeth Lester, Elinor’s mother, spoke of her relief at reuniting with her daughter but grieved for a friend’s daughter, a camp counselor, still missing. At Ingram’s reunification point, a girl in a Camp Mystic shirt was seen sobbing in her mother’s arms, a stark symbol of the tragedy’s depth.
Rescue operations and federal support
Rescue efforts, ongoing 24/7, face obstacles like impassable roads and looming rain. Governor Abbott emphasized the deployment of 500 responders, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones, with support from the National Guard and Coast Guard, which evacuated 230 people. A video shared by Abbott captured a dramatic rescue, with a victim plucked from a treetop by a helicopter-borne responder.
A state disaster declaration unlocked resources for affected counties, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed federal aid approval. President Trump, in a statement, offered condolences and committed “all available resources” to the search.
Locals have rallied, too. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is coordinating donations to support responders and families. Schools like Ingram’s have become reunification hubs, where parents cling to hope for news.
Echoes of past tragedies
The 1987 Rio Guadalupe flood, which killed 10 teens from the Pot O’ Gold camp, exposed the river’s dangers. That disaster, with a 9-meter water surge, swept away a bus and van carrying 43 youths and counselors. It inspired the 1993 film “The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children?”, recreating the campers’ ordeal.
More recently, in June 2025, heavy rains in San Antonio, 150 km from Kerr, killed 10, underscoring the region’s exposure. Faulty river gauges, which failed during the current flood, hampered real-time monitoring, worsening the crisis.
Chloe Crane, a former Camp Mystic counselor, called the camp a haven for growth, now reduced to devastation. She mourned the psychological toll on children and counselors, many of whom braved the flood to protect younger girls.
Threat of more rain
The National Weather Service warned of additional rain on Sunday, July 6, with 50 to 100 millimeters expected in some areas. Meteorologist Jason Runyen said any rainfall could exacerbate conditions in saturated zones. Kerrville’s city hall issued a fresh flood alert, urging residents to avoid travel and seek high ground.
With soaked soil, damaged infrastructure, and worsening forecasts, the situation remains dire. Authorities stress caution as rescuers race to find the 27 missing girls and other affected residents.
- Worrisome forecast: Up to 250 millimeters of rain may hit isolated areas.
- High-risk zones: Kerr, Travis, and Burnet counties are under alert.
- Safety measures: Residents are urged to avoid roads and seek higher ground.
- Ongoing impact: Thousands remain without power across the region.
The Texas Hill Country tragedy, marked by loss and destruction, underscores nature’s unpredictability and the resilience of communities in crisis. Searches for Camp Mystic’s missing girls persist, fueled by hope that more survivors will emerge from the wreckage left by the Rio Guadalupe’s waters.
