Kerr County: At least 24 people have died and more than 20 others remain missing after unprecedented flash floods swept through parts of Central Texas, including a summer camp in Kerr County. The floods, which surged rapidly along the Guadalupe River, have prompted a statewide emergency response and disrupted Fourth of July celebrations across the region.
Texas Flood Crisis: Key Updates
- 24 confirmed dead, over 20 children still missing from a summer camp after Texas flash floods
- 237 people rescued so far as emergency and military teams continue search operations overnight
- Governor Abbott and federal officials declare full mobilization; damage expected to grow with more rain forecasted
The sudden deluge began on Friday, catching many by surprise. Weather forecasts had not anticipated the volume of rainfall, which caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes. A summer camp, Camp Mystic, reported catastrophic flooding, with between 23 to 25 school-age girls still unaccounted for as of Friday evening.
Search and rescue operations have continued throughout the night, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott describing the floods as an “extraordinary catastrophe” and signing an emergency declaration to expedite federal and state resources. “So many people have been swept up into an extraordinary catastrophe,” Abbott said. “We are deploying a robust response.”
Also Read: Kerrville TX Flooding: Guadalupe River Surges, Hunt & Kerr County Hit Hard
Tragedy During Holiday Weekend
The severe flash floods have cast a long shadow over Independence Day events in Texas. Dozens of parades, fireworks shows, and barbecues were canceled across Central Texas, including in Kerrville and Boerne, as emergency personnel diverted resources to flood response. Even in places where gatherings continued, the tragedy unfolding in Kerr County subdued the usual celebratory mood.
Camp Mystic, a private Christian camp for girls located near Ingram, was hosting nearly 700 campers for the July 4th weekend when it was struck by rapidly rising waters. According to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, several campers were rescued, but dozens remain unaccounted for due to communication outages caused by downed power lines and loss of cellular service.
My heart feels so heavy right now.
As of 3:30 PM on July 4th, 23 children remain missing at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, along the Guadalupe River.
Please keep these kids, their families, everyone impacted by the flooding, and all the brave first responders in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/NMeykdeWL7
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores4TX) July 5, 2025
Please pray 🙏for the children at Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls established in 1926 located in Hunt, TX along the Guadalupe River. It was washed away in the flooding. Hundreds are now missing 13 confirmed dead. Helicopter rescue operations are continuing. pic.twitter.com/SVNz260t7I
— BizzyBeeMarie (@marie_bizzy) July 5, 2025
Officials emphasized that they had not issued evacuation orders ahead of the flooding because the forecasts did not reflect the eventual scale of the rainfall. One official explained that issuing mass evacuation orders could have created “chaos on the roads,” endangering even more lives.
Non-Stop Rescue Operations Underway
So far, 237 people have been rescued across affected regions, according to Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer of the Texas Military Department. Helicopters equipped with rescue swimmers, military vehicles, and park rangers have been deployed to reach stranded residents, particularly around the flood-ravaged areas of Kerr, Ingram, and Hunt.
PLEASE PRAY For More Miracles In Texas.
Many Little Girls Still Missing From Camp Mystic Where Flooding Inundated The Girls Camp Over Just 45 Minutes…
At Least 13 Little Girls Already Confirmed Dead.
20+ Still Missing.
Search & Rescue Ongoing! pic.twitter.com/n43mMcNCEv— John Basham (@JohnBasham) July 5, 2025
The body count has now climbed to 24 in Kerr County, up from the earlier report of 13. An additional fatality was confirmed in nearby Kendall County, although its direct link to the floods remains uncertain. Authorities have withheld the names of the deceased pending notification of families.
Federal Agencies Join Efforts
Federal support has been mobilized, with the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA now assisting in operations. Homeland Security also confirmed activation of national resources to locate the missing girls from Camp Mystic. President Donald Trump called the floods “shocking” and “terrible,” pledging full federal support.
Texas senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn both urged residents to follow local safety advisories and offered prayers for families affected. Cruz specifically asked for prayers for the campers, while Cornyn called the floods “historic” and praised first responders for their tireless efforts.
Rising Waters Leave Widespread Destruction
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed that park rangers reached Camp Mystic and began evacuations, though dozens of girls are still unaccounted for. Local reports also indicate entire RV parks were swept away along the riverbank, with vehicles and cabins found miles downstream.
CBS correspondents on-site described scenes of complete devastation: “There’s really no context for what this was. All of the RVs, all of the structures — they’re just gone,” said Jason Allen, reporting from Kerrville.
Local residents have flooded social media pages such as Kerrville Breaking News, seeking information on missing family members. While some have been safely located, many remain out of contact due to widespread telecommunications disruptions.
No Early Warning System in Place
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted at a press conference that the area lacks a formal flood warning system. He said the speed and severity of Friday’s flood exceeded even the deadly 1987 flood that killed 10 teenagers on a church camp bus in nearby Comfort.
“This kind of flood—nobody saw it coming,” Kelly said.
More Rain Forecasted
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for parts of West-Central Texas, including Llano County. It warned that already saturated soil and overflowing rivers could intensify risks over the weekend. Light to moderate rain is expected to persist through Sunday.
