Flash flood kills 27 in Texas as Camp Mystic confirms girls missing after Guadalupe River surges

A deadly flash flood swept through Kerr County, Texas, on July 4, killing at least 27 people and leaving dozens unaccounted for—many of them young girls attending Camp Mystic. The disaster unfolded after torrential rainfall, reaching nearly a foot in some areas, caused the Guadalupe River to surge by more than 26 feet in under an hour. Emergency responders were deployed in full force as helicopters, boats, and ground teams scoured flood-hit zones for survivors.

What were the specific rainfall conditions that caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes?

According to the National Weather Service, between 10 and 13 inches of rain fell rapidly across the Texas Hill Country, triggering a catastrophic rise in the Guadalupe River. The river crested nearly 26 to 29 feet in only 45 minutes, marking its second-highest level on record—surpassing the infamous 1987 flood. With the region already saturated from previous storms and lacking adequate early warning systems, the deluge overwhelmed both natural channels and manmade defenses.

How many people have died or gone missing due to the catastrophic Kerr County flash floods in Texas?

Officials confirmed 27 fatalities, including 9 children, across Kerr and Kendall Counties. Local authorities later identified camp director Jane Ragsdale among the deceased. At Camp Mystic near Hunt, Texas, approximately 23 to 27 girls out of 750 campers were initially reported unaccounted for. While not all were presumed dead, the magnitude of the flooding and destruction raised fears for their safety. Two young campers—Renee Smajstrla and Janie Hunt—were later confirmed dead by family members.

How many campers and residents have been rescued or evacuated so far during the Kerr County disaster?

As of July 5, more than 850 people were either rescued or evacuated across Kerr County. Over 230 of those were saved near the Guadalupe River, with 167 airlifted by helicopter. State and local agencies deployed a combination of nine ground rescue teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones to carry out operations. Viral footage from Kerrville’s Howdy’s Bar & Grill showed a dramatic helicopter extraction as rescuers pulled people out of raging floodwaters.

How does the severity of the 2025 Kerr County flood compare with the deadly 1987 Hill Country flood?

Local leaders drew comparisons to the devastating 1987 Hill Country flood, which claimed 10 lives, including children from a church camp. Like the 1987 incident, this year’s flood struck at night while residents were asleep, with no localized siren systems in place to warn people. The steep terrain, rocky soil, and rapid drainage into the Guadalupe River make the region particularly vulnerable to flash floods—earning the nickname “Flash Flood Alley.” Judge Rob Kelly admitted the county had no emergency alert infrastructure capable of preventing the night-time tragedy.

What have state, federal, and local officials said publicly in response to the Kerr County flood disaster?

Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for Kerr County and 14 nearby counties. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, acting on behalf of the state, stated that rescue efforts would continue “twenty-four-seven” until every person was accounted for. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance expressed federal support and prayers for the victims, calling the event “a terrible and incomprehensible tragedy.” Mayor Joe Herring of Kerrville, visibly emotional, called on the nation to pray for the community, while Judge Kelly acknowledged the lack of early warning protocols.

What do we know so far about the Camp Mystic girls who are missing or confirmed dead after the flooding?

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, is a Christian girls’ camp situated directly along the Guadalupe River. With 750 campers present during the flood, approximately two dozen were initially unaccounted for. The camp reassured families that only those with missing daughters had been contacted. Still, parents gathered at reunification sites in Ingram and Kerrville, awaiting word on their children. Two victims—Renee Smajstrla and Janie Hunt—were identified by family statements. A former counselor, Chloe Crane, recalled how quickly cabins were overtaken by the rising river and described the experience as heartbreaking.

What ongoing weather alerts remain in place and what safety precautions have been issued to residents?

The National Weather Service maintained flash flood warnings for much of central Texas, including Austin and Waco, through the evening of July 5. Additional rainfall, reaching up to five inches per hour, threatened renewed flash flooding in downstream areas. Residents were urged to remain off the roads, stay indoors, and move to higher ground if they lived near rivers, creeks, or low-lying zones. Kerr County’s Sheriff’s Office advised people to treat the situation as fluid and avoid obstructing rescue operations.

What emergency planning failures have been acknowledged in Kerr County and how can they be addressed?

Judge Kelly confirmed that Kerr County did not have an early-warning siren system or other real-time alert protocols in place. This lack of infrastructure left many sleeping residents and campers vulnerable. Experts have called for a reassessment of emergency communication methods in rural, flood-prone areas. Proposals include flood-zone sirens, mobile alerts tailored to hyperlocal hydrology, and expanded weather modeling. Given the speed at which water can rise in hill country terrain, these reforms are viewed as essential to preventing future tragedies.

What are the expected recovery efforts and infrastructure impacts following the July 2025 Texas floods?

The aftermath of the flood has left critical infrastructure damaged across Kerr County. Roads have been washed out, bridges compromised, and power lines destroyed. The Kerrville Public Utility Board reported over 2,600 outages, while the city’s water treatment facility was rendered inoperable, prompting residents to conserve water. Churches, schools, and community centers were transformed into shelters. Officials estimate that full recovery could take weeks or even months, depending on continued weather volatility and federal assistance timelines.

What preparedness lessons should flood-prone communities learn from the Kerr County flood tragedy?

The 2025 Kerr County flood underscores the urgent need for tailored flood mitigation strategies in steep-terrain regions like the Hill Country. Experts are calling for watershed-scale modeling, layered alert systems, and education campaigns for residents and camp operators alike. Furthermore, disaster response coordination between local, state, and federal agencies must be continually refined to ensure rapid deployment. As climate variability increases the frequency of extreme rainfall events, proactive planning and resilient infrastructure may be the only reliable defense against future disasters of this scale.

What are public officials and experts saying about flood response failures and future preparedness in Texas?

Federal, state, and local leaders have all voiced a unified response centered on compassion, urgency, and reform. While rescue efforts continue, there is growing institutional consensus that warning systems failed the community. From the White House to Kerr County’s emergency command center, officials have pledged full-scale support and long-term recovery. Policy experts warn that without addressing systemic gaps in preparedness and hydrological forecasting, similar tragedies may become increasingly common.