On July 9, 2025, Texas is facing a heartbreaking disaster after massive flash floods hit on July 4. At least 109 people have died, and over 160 are still missing, with rescue teams searching along the Guadalupe River. The worst-hit area is Kerr County, where 87 people lost their lives. Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas, was devastated, with 27 campers and counselors confirmed dead. Five campers and one counselor are still missing out of the 750 children at the camp when the floods struck. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than an hour, sweeping away cabins, cars, and trees.
This is so sad! All those families losing loved ones, especially kids at camp, is just heartbreaking. I’m hoping for miracles for those still missing.
Rescue Efforts Keep Going
Rescue teams are working hard, using helicopters, boats, and drones to search a 60-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River from Hunt to Comal County. Over 850 people have been rescued, including 223 by the U.S. Coast Guard. More than 400 first responders from 20 agencies, plus help from Mexico’s Fundación 911, are searching through mud, debris, and dangerous terrain. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said they’re still in the “primary search phase,” looking for survivors and recovering bodies. Governor Greg Abbott promised to keep searching “until every missing person is accounted for.” He asked people to call local officials if they know someone missing, especially campers or RV park visitors near Kerrville.
Those rescuers are heroes! Searching through all that mess to find people is so tough, but they’re not giving up.
Camp Mystic’s Heartbreaking Loss
Camp Mystic, a 99-year-old all-girls Christian camp along the Guadalupe River, was hit hard. The floods destroyed cabins, leaving behind mud-covered toys, pink blankets, and broken walls. The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, died trying to save campers, with his grandson calling him a “hero to the end.” Among the victims were 8-year-old Mary Kate Jacobe from Houston, 9-year-old Lainey Landry from Baton Rouge, 8-year-old Anna Margaret from Houston, and 9-year-old Lila Bonner. Twin sisters Blair and Brooke Harber, aged 13 and 11 from Dallas, also died. The camp is working with authorities and supporting grieving families, saying, “Our hearts are broken.”
Hearing about those kids and their brave director is just crushing. Camp’s supposed to be fun, not a nightmare like this.
Why Did This Happen?
The floods came after 5 to 10 inches of rain fell overnight on July 4, hitting a dry region called “Flash Flood Alley” that couldn’t soak up the water. The Guadalupe River surged to a record 37.52 feet in Hunt, Texas, in just 45 minutes. The National Weather Service (NWS) sent warnings at 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., but many, like Camp Mystic counselor Caroline Cutrona, didn’t get them because counselors turn in phones at work. Some say the warnings came too late, and Kerr County didn’t have flood sirens despite past talks about installing them. Critics also point to Trump administration cuts to NWS staff, though a former NOAA chief said the agency did its job, but local communication failed.
That river rose so fast! It’s awful that warnings didn’t reach everyone in time to save more lives.
Stories of Survival and Loss
Some stories show incredible bravery. A 13-year-old camper, Stella Thompson, was evacuated by helicopter after her cabin stayed dry, but she saw the destruction. Serena Hanor Aldrich’s daughters, aged 9 and 12, were rescued and reunited with her, though they’re still shaken. Erin Burgess and her son clung to a tree for an hour to survive, but her boyfriend and dog were swept away (they were later found). Sadly, many didn’t make it. Reece and Paula Zunker, teachers from Kerrville, died, and their two children are still missing. Katheryn Eads, 52, was swept away after escaping her campervan, while her husband survived.
These stories are so intense! It’s amazing some survived, but losing so many is just devastating.
Government and Community Response
Governor Abbott declared a disaster for Kerr County and six other counties, like Travis and Burnet, where 15 more deaths happened. President Trump approved a major disaster declaration, sending FEMA and the Coast Guard to help. Abbott said 1,750 personnel and 975 vehicles, including Blackhawk helicopters, are aiding rescues. The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and NFL donated $1.5 million for relief. In Kerrville, Hunt Baptist Church is offering free food and clothes, and a vigil was held in San Antonio’s Travis Park. But some, like parent Serena Aldrich, are upset, asking why Camp Mystic wasn’t evacuated sooner since its emergency plan was approved just two days before on July 2.
Everyone’s pitching in to help, but those questions about the camp’s plan are tough. Why wasn’t more done to warn people?
What’s Next?
More rain is expected in Texas, raising fears of new floods in places like Waco. The NWS says slow-moving storms could drop 1 to 3 inches of rain, making rescue work harder. Kerrville’s city council is meeting today to extend the mayor’s disaster declaration and plan recovery. The damage could cost $18 to $22 billion, and only half of Kerr County’s at-risk homes have flood insurance, leaving many families in trouble. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent condolences, especially for the children lost. The search continues for the 161 missing, including five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic, as families pray for answers.
More rain coming? That’s scary! I’m praying for those families and hoping the rescuers find everyone soon.
Why This Matters
This flood is one of the deadliest in U.S. history for children, with Camp Mystic’s tragedy hitting hard. The 109 deaths and 161 missing show how fast nature can turn deadly, especially in a place known for flash floods. The loss of kids, counselors, and locals like Dick Eastland, who died saving others, has broken hearts across Texas and beyond. Questions about late warnings, missing sirens, and Camp Mystic’s emergency plan are sparking debate about how to prevent this in the future. As rescue teams keep searching and communities rally, Texas is showing strength, but the pain will last a long time.
This is such a huge tragedy! Texas is hurting, but the way people are helping each other is inspiring. What do you think about this awful flood? Tell me!