Texas Hill Country floods: 6 dead, 20 missing.
Deadly Texas floods kill 6, 20 children still missing.
- Death Toll Rises to 13: The deadly floods in Texas Hill Country have claimed 13 lives as of Friday morning, marking one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike the region in recent years.
- Guadalupe River Surges 26 Feet Overnight: The river unexpectedly rose 26 feet following intense overnight rainfall, submerging entire communities and sweeping away vehicles and homes.
- Campers Trapped: Dozens of campers at various sites along the Guadalupe River were trapped as waters surged rapidly, leaving them with no time to evacuate.
- Rescue Operations Overwhelmed: Emergency responders have been stretched thin, with air and boat rescue teams working around the clock to locate missing persons.
- Children Still Missing: At least 20 children remain unaccounted for, many of them part of school or church groups camping near the river during the Fourth of July holiday.
- Evacuation Orders Ignored: Officials report that some residents ignored evacuation warnings, underestimating the speed and power of the floodwaters.
- Widespread Damage: Infrastructure, including roads, power lines, and bridges, has been heavily damaged or destroyed.
- State of Emergency Declared: The governor has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing National Guard units to assist.
- Calls for Donations: Relief organizations are urging the public to donate supplies, funds, and blood to aid in the ongoing crisis.
Tragedy in Texas Hill Country: Torrential Rains, Flash Floods Leave 13 Dead and Dozens Missing
Torrential overnight rains dumped up to 10 inches across Kerr County, triggering flash floods that killed at least 13 people, with authorities fearing more fatalities in the coming days.
What began as an ordinary night turned into a nightmare when the Guadalupe River surged an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes near the small community of Hunt. The river obliterated the previous flood record set in 1987, and the destruction was overwhelming — vehicles were swept off roads, cabins were torn apart, and bodies were discovered stripped of clothing, making identification difficult.
Children Trapped in Summer Camps
As midnight floodwaters invaded the campgrounds, 20 young girls went missing. The scene was chaotic: counselors scrambling in darkness, water rising at terrifying speed, and terrified children climbing trees to escape the torrent.
Rescue teams scrambled. Fourteen helicopters and twelve drones combed the area as the sun rose, managing to lift many campers and staff members from the treetops. Parents waited with bated breath, some 100 miles away in San Antonio or Austin, glued to their phones. Social media became a digital missing persons board, flooded with images and pleas:
“Please, post names of rescued children,” one parent wrote on Facebook.
Another mother shared a photo of her daughter’s family, last seen near Hunt in a rented cabin, writing: “No word in 12 hours. Someone please help us.”
Though Camp Waldemar, another prominent nearby camp, confirmed all their campers were safe, the emotional toll on families remains immeasurable.
No Warnings, No Time
The speed and force of the floods left many wondering: how could this happen without warning?
Though the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood watch earlier Thursday, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly told reporters, “There was no warning system in place. No one knew this flood was coming.”
But local meteorologists and journalists questioned that narrative. Veteran weather forecaster Bob Fogarty said the river gauge at Hunt stopped transmitting data after it recorded a 22-foot surge, suggesting the system failed right when it was needed most.
“You won’t recognize how bad it is until it’s on top of you,” he added grimly.
Critics also asked why summer camps—well aware of the forecast calling for 5 to 7 inches of rain—had not evacuated earlier. After all, the Texas Hill Country, especially the Guadalupe River valley, is often referred to as “America’s most dangerous river valley” due to its narrow canyons and history of deadly flash floods.
Widespread Damage, Ongoing Search
As emergency responders continue to comb debris-filled waters, over 20 people remain unaccounted for, including campers, residents, and travelers who were caught in low-lying areas. Some survivors were found clinging to trees, others atop rooftops or stranded on their vehicles. Helicopters, airboats, and dive teams are working nonstop in intense summer heat.
The state has opened four emergency shelters in Kerrville and issued urgent evacuation orders for downstream communities, including Comfort, fearing additional water surges from upstream runoff.
Storms Rage Beyond Texas
The deadly weather system didn’t stop at the Texas border. Violent thunderstorms swept through parts of the Northeast, killing three people in New Jersey, including a 79-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man who were crushed by a falling tree while sitting in a car in Plainfield.
In Connecticut, large hail and heavy rains sent vehicles skidding off highways. Widespread power outages left tens of thousands without electricity as emergency crews struggled to clear fallen trees and repair downed lines.
A Holiday of Heartbreak
For many across the country, this Independence Day will be remembered not with fireworks and barbecues, but with fear, loss, and the hope that missing loved ones will soon be found.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay alert and support each other. Relief agencies have called for donations of supplies, blood, and funds, as the region faces what could become one of its worst flood disasters in decades.
In a state known for its resilience, communities are coming together — but for now, the heart of Texas is hurting.