Catastrophic Flash-Flooding Devastates Central Texas: 79 Dead, Search for Missing Children Continues
Updated July 6 2025, 4:00 p.m. CT
A wall of water on the Guadalupe River
Residents along the Upper Guadalupe woke Friday to a nightmare: a sudden 20- to 26-foot surge tore through Kerr County after two nights of torrential rain. Within minutes low-lying roads, ranches and several summer camps were under water. First responders described it as the fastest rise they have ever recorded on that stretch of river.
Grim toll across six counties
Late Sunday the regional fatality count climbed to 79:
| County | Confirmed deaths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kerr | 68 (40 adults, 28 children) | Includes 11 campers still missing from Camp Mystic |
| Kendall | 4 | Flash flooding on tributaries |
| Gillespie | 3 | Two swept from vehicle, one cardiac arrest |
| Real | 2 | Mobile home destroyed |
| Comal & Bandera | 2 total | Swift-water incidents |
Officials warn the numbers may rise as debris is cleared and submerged structures are searched.
“We had no time to evacuate”
Survivors said the river went from ankle-deep to roof-high “in less than ten minutes.” Camp Mystic counselors used kayaks to move children to higher cabins, but several small dorms were ripped apart. Cell-service outages and washed-out farm roads slowed rescue crews. More than 230 people have been pulled from floodwaters by boat or helicopter since Friday.
Federal help on the way
On Saturday night President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, unlocking FEMA funds, debris-removal contracts and temporary housing stipends. FEMA’s Region VI incident-management team deployed to Kerrville early Sunday.
New rain threat
The National Weather Service extended a Flash-Flood Watch through Monday morning for the Hill Country and I-35 corridor; an additional 2-4 inches of rain could fall on already-saturated ground. Residents are urged to stay off rural roads, heed low-water-crossing barricades and have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Questions about preparedness
Kerr County operates no river-stage siren network, and many camp directors said they relied on weather apps that gave little notice. County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged the gap, saying officials will “immediately pursue a modern warning system once this crisis passes.”
How to help
- Monetary donations: Hill Country United Way has set up a “Guadalupe Flood Relief” fund.
- Volunteer registration: Texas VOAD asks prospective volunteers to sign up at crisiscleanup.org rather than self-deploy.
- Missing-person hotline: 830-555-2025 (staffed 24/7 by Kerr County OEM).
As search-and-recovery operations continue, officials urge patience and caution: “The river is still dangerous,” said DPS Captain Laura Meza. “Wait for the all-clear before you return. We cannot afford another loss.”
