Texas Flooding 2025: The Devastating Camp Mystic Flood and Guadalupe River Surge

On July 4, 2025, catastrophic Texas flooding 2025 struck the Texas Hill Country, particularly Kerrville, Texas, and Kerr County, Texas, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak. The Guadalupe River flood, described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event, surged up to 29 feet in hours, devastating communities like Hunt, Texas, Ingram, Texas, and Comfort, Texas. At the heart of this tragedy was Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian summer camp for girls, where the Camp Mystic flooding claimed lives and left many missing. This article explores the Texas flood disaster, its impact on Camp Mystic Texas, and the ongoing recovery efforts across Central Texas flooding zones.

The Catastrophic Guadalupe River Flooding 2025

The Guadalupe River flooding 2025 was triggered by torrential rainfall from July 3 to July 6, 2025, with some areas receiving up to 13 inches of rain in just a few hours. This led to a rapid rise in the Guadalupe River Kerrville, which surged from 7 to 29 feet in Hunt, Texas, overwhelming flood gauges and causing widespread destruction. The Texas flash flood 2025 was likened to the 1987 Guadalupe River flood, which killed 10 campers at Pot O’ Gold Christian Camp near Comfort, Texas. The Texas Hill Country flash flood was exacerbated by the region’s hilly terrain and saturated soil, earning it the nickname Flash Flood Alley Texas.

Key Statistics:

• Rainfall Totals: 5–13 inches across Kerr County flooding areas.
• Death Toll: At least 82 confirmed deaths, including 68 in Kerrville TX flooding (40 adults, 28 children).
• Missing Persons: 41 missing, including 10 Camp Mystic girls missing and one Camp Mystic counselor missing.
• Rescues: Over 850 people saved, with 237 by Texas flood helicopter rescues.

The Texas flooding map highlights the hardest-hit areas, including Kerrville flooding 2025, Canyon Lake flood, New Braunfels flooding, and Llano River flood zones. The Texas flooding 2025 chronology shows the rapid escalation of the crisis, with the National Weather Service Texas issuing flood watches on July 3 and a “particularly dangerous situation” warning at 4 a.m. on July 4, urging residents to seek higher ground.

Camp Mystic: A Tragedy in the Texas Hill Country

Camp Mystic, located in Hunt, Texas, along the Guadalupe River, is a beloved Christian camp that has served girls for nearly 100 years. The Camp Mystic flood on July 4, 2025, was a devastating blow, with floodwaters sweeping through cabins like the Bubble Inn, located just 150 yards from the river. The Camp Mystic disaster resulted in the deaths of campers, counselors, and the camp’s director, Dick Eastland, who heroically attempted to rescue children.

Camp Mystic Flood Victims:

• Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor and recent Kinkaid School graduate.
• Janie Hunt, a 9-year-old camper described as “brave and sweet.”
• Blair Harber and Brooke Harber, sisters aged 13 and 11 from Dallas.
• Hanna Lawrence and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-old twins.
• Linnie McCown, Sarah Marsh, Eloise Peck, Lainey Landry, Greta Toranzo, Lila Bonner, Molly DeWitt, Virginia Hollis, Blakely McCrory, and Anna Margaret Bellows, all young campers.
• Jane Ragsdale, director of the nearby Heart O’ the Hills camp, also perished.

The Camp Mystic missing campers count dropped from 27 to 10 girls and one counselor by July 7, 2025, as Camp Mystic search and rescue efforts continued. The Camp Mystic flood damage included destroyed cabins, a recreation hall built in the 1920s, and washed-out highways, complicating rescue operations. The Camp Mystic tragedy has left families, alumni, and the Kerrville, Texas, community reeling, with many questioning whether adequate Camp Mystic flood warning systems were in place.

Official Response to the Texas Floods

The Texas flood emergency response was swift but faced challenges due to the suddenness of the flood in Texas 2025. Key figures led the charge:

• Greg Abbott: The Texas governor flood response included issuing a Greg Abbott disaster declaration for 15 counties, later expanded, and mobilizing the Texas National Guard rescues. Abbott vowed a “relentless” search for survivors.
• Dan Patrick: The Lieutenant Governor reported the Guadalupe River surge rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the Kerrville flooding.
• Chip Roy: The congressman, a frequent visitor to Kerrville, Texas, expressed solidarity and coordinated with officials.
• Kristi Noem: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary noted the U.S. Coast Guard rescued 223 people, many via aerial operations.
• Donald Trump: The President issued a federal disaster declaration Texas, promising federal aid for Texas flood relief efforts.
• Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha and Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice: Local leaders coordinated Texas flood search and rescue, using drones, helicopters, and heat-sensing equipment to locate survivors.

The Texas flood disaster response involved over 1,000 responders, including the Houston Fire Department and Texas A&M Task Force One, with Kerr County flood rescues focusing on the Guadalupe River and Johnson Creek. However, the lack of a modern Texas flood warning system in Kerr County, Texas, raised concerns. Kerr County flood sensors failed, and officials like Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted the county was unprepared, as forecasts underestimated rainfall totals.

Impact on Texas Hill Country Communities

The Texas Hill Country floods affected multiple counties, including Bandera County flooding, Kendall County flooding, Travis County flooding, Comal County flooding, Burnet County flooding, Tom Green County flooding, Williamson County flooding, and Mason Texas flooding. Austin flooding and San Antonio flooding also reported damages, with Lake Travis and Canyon Lake seeing flash flood emergencies.

• Economic Impact: Texas summer camp flooding, including Camp Mystic Kerrville and nearby camps like Waldemar, disrupted a $32 million industry in Kerr County, Texas. Some camps may cancel sessions, affecting local businesses.
• Infrastructure Damage: Kerrville flood debris, mangled vehicles, and washed-out roads like Texas 39 hampered recovery. Texas flood infrastructure damage included downed power lines and water system disruptions.
• Community Response: Texas flood community response included shelters at churches and a Walmart in Kerrville, Texas, with Texas flood reunification centers aiding families. Texas flood pet rescues by groups like Kerrville and Austin Pets Alive! saved over 70 animals.

Historical Context and Preparedness Issues

The Texas flood history includes the 1987 Guadalupe River flood, where 10 teenagers died near Comfort, Texas, highlighting the region’s vulnerability. The Texas Hill Country disaster of 2025 has reignited debates about Texas flood preparedness. The National Weather Service Texas issued timely warnings, but Texas flood warning failures—including outdated technology and no county-wide alert system—limited their effectiveness. The Tropical Storm Barry 2025 remnant moisture fueled the deluge, with radar estimating 10–15 inches of rain in Kerr County flooding areas, far exceeding the predicted 7 inches.

Key Failures:

• Kerr County flood sensors were knocked out, with one gauge submerged at 37.52 feet in Hunt, Texas.
• Flash flood emergency Kerr County alerts at 4:03 a.m. and 5:34 a.m. on July 4 were issued when many were asleep.
• Camp Mystic cabins flood occurred due to the camp’s location in a “special flood hazard area,” raising questions about site safety.

Stories of Loss and Resilience

The Texas flood victims 2025 included families like the Harbers, whose grandparents, Charlene Harber and Mike Harber, remain missing. Joni Brake and Robert Brake Sr. were swept away in an RV park, while Megan Moeller, Jake Moeller, and Harley Moeller are unaccounted for. Edwards from San Angelo is missing, though his wife, Marilyn Edwards, was rescued. Texas flood survivor stories include Maria and Felipe Tapia, who swam to safety, and Brian Eads, who lost his wife, Katheryn, after clinging to a tree.

The Texas flood social media response, with posts on X, reflects public grief and calls for better warning systems. Texas flood updates continue to highlight Camp Mystic flood news, with families like Blakely McCrory’s holding onto hope for miracles. The Texas flooding 2025 chronology underscores the rapid onset of the Guadalupe River flood 2025, with Kerrville flood recovery efforts ongoing.

How to Help and Stay Informed

The Texas flood relief efforts need support. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Donate: Support organizations like Catholic Charities of San Antonio, aiding Kerrville flood recovery.
• Volunteer: Join Texas flood volunteer efforts through local agencies or contact the Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice’s office at 830-258-1111 for Camp Mystic missing campers updates.
• Stay Informed: Check Texas flooding live updates on National Weather Service Texas or local news for Texas Hill Country flood map and safety advisories.

For those in Kerrville, Texas, New Braunfels flooding, or other affected areas, heed warnings: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Avoid Guadalupe River Kerrville and low-lying areas, as more rain is forecast. The Texas flood economic impact and emotional toll are profound, but the resilience of Texas Hill Country communities shines through.

Last updated: July 7, 2025