Authorities in Kerr County have confirmed the deaths of 40 adults and 28 children, making up nearly 80% of the total fatalities statewide. Many families were caught off guard in the middle of the night and unable to evacuate in time, resulting in tragic losses.
One of the most heart-wrenching incidents occurred at “Camp Mystic,” an all-girls summer camp located along the Guadalupe River. According to state police, dozens of girls and staff members were staying at the camp when the flooding struck. At least 10 girls and one counselor remain unaccounted for. The floodwaters surged more than 20 feet (approximately 6 meters) within just two hours around 3 a.m. on July 4, sweeping away the camp’s buildings and tents. Phone lines were also severed, making it impossible to call for help.
“One moment, the river was rumbling, and the next, everything was gone,” said a surviving camp staff member. Witnesses reported seeing children clinging to trees, only to be swept away one by one by the raging current, leaving local residents in shock.
Forty-one people are still officially missing, and ground and aerial search efforts by National Guard members, firefighters, and volunteers are ongoing. Drones and helicopters are being used to cover vast areas, and teams are combing through collapsed structures and debris one by one.

There are growing concerns that the situation could worsen. On the evening of July 6, the Kerr County sheriff warned that water levels are rising again throughout the region, increasing the risk of additional flooding. Governor Greg Abbott echoed the concerns in a press conference, stating, “Heavy rainfall is expected across several parts of Texas in the coming days. With the ground already saturated, even a small amount of rain could trigger new flash floods and landslides.” He urged residents to remain extremely vigilant.
Local authorities have opened additional shelters and are doing everything they can to assist affected residents, but challenges remain in distributing food and medical supplies. Power outages continue across many areas, and communication networks have been partially disrupted, leaving many families unable to contact loved ones.
“For this town, July 4 will no longer be remembered as Independence Day,” said a longtime resident of Kerr County. “It has become a day of loss. We lost our homes, our families, and our memories—all in a single night. But we won’t give up,” she added with tears in her eyes.
This disaster is expected to go down as one of the deadliest natural events in Texas in recent years, drawing nationwide attention to both the weather outlook and recovery efforts moving forward.