Catastrophic Texas Floods: Death Toll Rises to 51, 27 Girls Missing from Camp Mystic

Kerrville, Texas, July 6, 2025 – Central Texas is reeling from devastating flash floods that have claimed at least 51 lives, including 15 children, across five counties, with Kerr County being the hardest hit. The floods, triggered by torrential rains dumping up to 20 inches of water in some areas, have left a trail of destruction, particularly along the Guadalupe River, where the waters rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Among the most heart-wrenching stories is the ongoing search for 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls located near Hunt, Texas.

Unprecedented Flooding and Loss of Life

The catastrophic flooding began early Friday, July 4, 2025, catching residents and officials off guard despite prior flood warnings from the National Weather Service. Kerr County alone has reported 43 deaths, with 28 adults and 15 children confirmed deceased, and 12 adults and five children still unidentified. Additional fatalities have been reported in Travis County (four), Kendall County (one), Tom Green County (one), and Burnet County (two). The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue in the ravaged Texas Hill Country.

Among the confirmed victims are several young girls from Camp Mystic, including 8-year-old Sarah Marsh from Mountain Brook, Alabama, 9-year-old Janie Hunt, 13-year-old Blair, 11-year-old Brooke, 8-year-old Hadley Hanna, 9-year-old Eloise Peck, and 9-year-old Lila Bonner. Families have shared heartbreaking tributes, describing the girls as bright, kind, and full of life. The floods swept through the camp, destroying buildings and scattering belongings, with images showing mud-covered bunkbeds and debris-strewn grounds.

Search for Missing Campers

Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian summer camp hosting approximately 750 girls, was devastated when the Guadalupe River surged before dawn on Friday. As of Sunday night, July 5, 2025, 27 girls remain unaccounted for, though officials caution that the total number of missing individuals may be higher due to visitors in the area for the Fourth of July weekend. The camp has two sites along the river, and its facilities, including a historic recreation hall, have been severely damaged.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with over 850 people rescued so far, including 167 by helicopter. Search teams, comprising more than 500 emergency personnel, are using helicopters, boats, drones, and ground crews to comb the riverbanks and surrounding areas. Some survivors have been found clinging to trees or stranded on high ground, but the harsh conditions—downed power lines, flooded roads, and spotty cellphone service—are complicating efforts. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice emphasized the focus on “life safety,” stating, “Our primary focus is on search and rescue of every single person involved, and we’ll continue through the night to make sure that happens.”

Stories of Survival and Loss

Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the flood’s sudden onset. Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old Camp Mystic camper, recounted being woken by a raging storm around 1:30 a.m. and walking across a bridge with floodwaters whipping around her legs, guided by a rope tied by rescuers. Another survivor, Barry Adelman, described being trapped in his attic with his 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson as water rose through the floor. In a tragic case, Julian Ryan, a 27-year-old from Ingram, died after punching through a window to save his family from their flooded trailer home, succumbing to injuries from broken glass.

Parents and families are enduring an agonizing wait, with many turning to social media to share photos and pleas for information about their missing loved ones. Reunification centers at Ingram Elementary School and Arcadia Live in Kerrville have been scenes of both tearful reunions and profound grief. One mother, Serena Hanor Aldrich, expressed relief at her daughters’ rescue but criticized the camp’s preparedness, noting that the flooding caught many by surprise.

Government Response and Ongoing Risks

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency, expanding the disaster declaration to include Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis, and Williamson counties. He has vowed a “relentless” search for survivors, stating, “We will stop when the job is completed.” President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem deploying the Coast Guard and FEMA to assist. Noem described Trump as “devastated” by the tragedy and committed to providing all necessary resources.

The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings through Sunday evening, with an additional 2 to 5 inches of rain possible, raising concerns about swelling rivers. The Texas Hill Country, known as “flash flood alley,” is particularly vulnerable due to its rugged terrain and shallow streams, which can turn into torrents during heavy rainfall. Forecasters note that the region received a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, an event described as a one-in-100-years rainfall.

Community Response and How to Help

The community has rallied to support those affected, with Ingram Elementary School transitioning from a reunification center to a donation hub for food, clothing, and supplies. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is collecting donations to aid nonprofits responding to the disaster. For families seeking information about missing loved ones, Kerr County has established hotlines: 830-258-1111 for parents of Camp Mystic campers, 830-257-8181 for other missing persons, and 1-800-733-2767 through the American Red Cross.

As the region braces for more rain, the focus remains on finding survivors and supporting grieving families. A special mass is scheduled at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville on Sunday to honor those lost and missing. The tragedy has united Texans in mourning and resilience, with Governor Abbott calling for prayers and solidarity in the face of this “extraordinary catastrophe.”

For the latest updates, visit www.nriglobe.com or contact local authorities for real-time information.