New York: The Fourth of July holiday turned tragic in Texas as a powerful flash flood swept through the Hill Country region, leaving devastation across Kerr County and beyond. At the heart of the disaster is Camp Mystic, a private all-girls Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, where 27 campers are still missing and five have been confirmed dead. Local and state officials have declared this one of the deadliest floods in recent Texas history.
As of Sunday morning, the death toll from the floods stands at 51, including 15 children. Families are gathering at reunification centers, clinging to hope while rescue crews continue searching wrecked cabins and dangerous riverbanks. Governor Greg Abbott toured the affected areas on Saturday, calling the flooding “unlike anything I’ve seen in any natural disaster.” He has declared an emergency for 15 counties, while federal agencies coordinate relief efforts on the ground.
- 51 people confirmed dead, including 15 children
- 27 campers from Camp Mystic remain missing
- Guadalupe River rose nearly 30 feet in 45 minutes
- Governor Abbott calls the site “horrendously ravaged”
- Federal emergency response activated
The speed and intensity of the flooding left little time for evacuation. In less than two hours, the Guadalupe River surged over 30 feet, demolishing everything in its path—including riverside cabins at Camp Mystic, where younger girls were housed. With helicopters, drones, and search dogs deployed across the region, Texas officials vow they will not stop until every missing person is found.
Also Read: Texas Flood Disaster
What Caused the Flooding in Texas Hill Country?
The flash floods were triggered by an intense overnight storm system that dumped unprecedented rainfall across Central Texas. Meteorologists say the Gulf of Mexico’s abnormally warm waters may have fueled the system, increasing the moisture in the atmosphere. According to the National Weather Service, parts of Kerr County received far more rain than forecasted—raising serious concerns about how early warnings were communicated to at-risk communities.
Forecasters had issued a flash flood warning for the area late Thursday night, but local officials say they were caught off guard by the storm’s speed and scale. The Guadalupe River near Ingram and Hunt rose nearly 30 feet in just 45 minutes. While high water is not unusual for the region, such a sudden surge left little time for organized evacuations.
Heavenly Father,
We lift up the children missing in the Texas summer camp flood. Please protect them, guide rescuers to them quickly, and bring comfort to their families. Strengthen those searching, and bring peace to all affected by this terrible tragedy. Hold these young… pic.twitter.com/mxtLyKhLwz
— Joe_S_Pure🩸 (@Joe_S_Pure) July 5, 2025
Camp Mystic Flooding: What Happened at the Popular Texas Girls Camp?
Founded in 1926, Camp Mystic is a prestigious Christian summer retreat located along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Kerr County. On the night of the flood, around 750 girls were staying at the camp. Many younger campers were housed in riverside cabins, the first areas to be hit when the waters rose. Helicopters and game wardens airlifted some girls to safety, but others were caught in fast-moving floodwaters.
As of Sunday, 27 campers remain missing, with at least five confirmed fatalities, including Janie Hunt, Lila Bonner, and Eloise Peck, all aged between 8 and 10. One family has requested anonymity regarding the identity of their lost child. The search for the missing continues, with the National Guard, Coast Guard, and Texas Division of Emergency Management actively coordinating rescue efforts.
Victims Identified: Lives Lost in the Texas Floods
Among the victims are Reece and Paula Zunker, a local high school soccer coach and his wife, whose two children are still unaccounted for. Jane Ragsdale, the director of nearby Heart O’ the Hills camp, was also confirmed dead. At least 15 children and 28 adults have died in the floods so far, with five adults and three children yet to be identified.
Parents like Ellen Toranzo and Carrie Hanna are still searching for their daughters, Greta and Hadley, who remain missing. Across the region, the loss is deeply personal—and for many, still unresolved.
Were There Warnings Before the Flood? Conflicting Accounts Emerge
While Governor Abbott and local officials say the flood was unpredictable, meteorologists argue that sufficient alerts were issued. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch Thursday afternoon, followed by a flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. Friday. Critics say the failure was not in the forecast—but in communication, preparedness, and response.
State Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd acknowledged that while teams were pre-positioned, the scale of the rainfall surpassed expectations. “Everybody got the forecast,” he said. “It did not predict the amount of rain we saw.”
Search and Rescue: Massive Effort Mobilised Across Texas
More than 1,300 state responders, including search and rescue teams from Austin, San Antonio, and beyond, have been deployed. Resources include:
- 158 off-road vehicles
- 37 boats
- 2 helicopters
- 16 drones
- 10 ground search teams
As of Saturday evening, over 850 people have been rescued, including 167 airlifted by helicopter. The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that 223 lives were saved or assisted directly due to their deployments.
💔 A Hero Lost in the Floods
Ingram’s heartbreaking flood tragedy claimed the life of 27-year-old Julian Ryan, a young man who gave everything to save his family.
As raging floodwaters trapped his fiancée, children, and mother-in-law in their mobile home near the Guadalupe River,… pic.twitter.com/KgYZYDCREF— Texas Trucker (@Andersonj2273) July 5, 2025
Community Mobilizes: Texans Step In to Help Texans
In downtown Kerrville, restaurant owners Daric and Heidi Easton transformed their business into a relief hub, preparing meals for rescue crews and victims. They even loaded supplies onto a customer’s helicopter to reach Camp Mystic.
“I can’t imagine what these parents are going through,” Daric said. “I just need to make sandwiches.”
Their story reflects the larger spirit of Texans helping Texans in times of crisis.
Mapping the Damage: What Parts of Texas Are Flooding?
The worst damage has been reported in:
- Kerr County (including Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville)
- Comal County
- Llano
- Canyon Lake
- Georgetown
- Austin, San Antonio, and surrounding Hill Country regions experienced significant rainfall, with localized flash flood warnings still in effect through Monday.
Ongoing Efforts: What Happens Next?
Gov. Abbott’s federal disaster declaration has unlocked funding and resources for impacted areas. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have pledged continued support, with additional Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft expected.
Authorities say they will search “until every last child is found.” Families are being directed to Ingram Elementary School and Arcadia Live Theater in Kerrville for reunification updates. Anyone with missing loved ones is urged to call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
