The river rapidly rose by more than 22ft overnight, before breaking its banks and overtaking several small, rural towns across Kerr County. Parents of campers are franticly trying to get in touch with their children as emergency warnings and disaster declarations have been put in place. But Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the top official in the county, has seemingly dismissed their concerns as he urged parents to ‘call the camps’ directly – even though there are widespread power outages across the region.
| Published July 5, 2025
Among the missing were dozens of people listed as unaccounted for at an all-girls Christian summer camp located on the banks of Guadalupe, authorities said.
This was supposed to be a summer of joy. But for dozens of families in Texas, it became a nightmare. Flash floods along the Guadalupe River have left at least 24 dead—and more than 20 young girls from a summer camp still missing…”
Texas, July 5, 2025 — What began as a summer storm system turned into a deadly catastrophe as relentless rainfall triggered massive flash floods along the Guadalupe River, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 20 girls missing from a summer camp in the Hill Country.
Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency crews scramble to locate the missing campers swept away from Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer retreat near Hunt, Texas. Families remain in anguish amid swelling waters and disrupted communications, as helicopters and boats continue their desperate search.
“It Came Like a Wall”: Torrents Take Texas by Surprise
The floods, fueled by intense thunderstorms and over 10 inches of rainfall in some areas, caught residents and tourists off guard. The Guadalupe River, normally a recreational hotspot for tubing and swimming, turned into a roaring, muddy torrent, breaching its banks and sweeping away homes, bridges, and vehicles.
“We heard the sirens, but it was too late,” said Jack Talley, a local resident near Kerr County. “The river rose so fast—like a wall of water hitting us.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in 15 counties, urging people to stay off the roads and heed evacuation warnings. Power outages, damaged infrastructure, and downed trees are complicating rescue efforts across the region.
Camp Mystic Tragedy: 23 Young Girls Missing
The most heart-wrenching story has emerged from Camp Mystic, where over 100 campers and staff were caught in the floodwaters. At least 23 girls aged 10–16 are still unaccounted for as of Friday morning. Rescue teams from across the state, including the Texas National Guard, are combing the swollen riverbanks and using drones and infrared technology in hopes of locating survivors.
Parents have converged at a staging area set up near the camp, awaiting any word. “We just want to see our daughters’ faces again,” one mother said through tears. “We sent them there for joy, for summer memories—not this.”
Weather Patterns and Warnings: A Changing Threat
Meteorologists say the storm system that parked itself over central Texas is part of a broader pattern of intensifying extreme weather due to climate shifts. The National Weather Service had issued flash flood warnings days before the incident, but many were caught off guard by the speed and ferocity of the deluge.
“It’s unlike anything we’ve seen in decades,” said a local weather analyst. “The rainfall totals were staggering, and the runoff overwhelmed the land’s ability to absorb it.”
Federal and Local Response
President Biden has been briefed and federal resources are being deployed. The FEMA has sent disaster response teams and is coordinating shelter, food, and medical aid with local authorities. A mobile emergency shelter has been set up at Ingram High School, offering displaced residents temporary refuge.
In the meantime, social media has become a tool of both chaos and hope—with families posting pictures of missing loved ones and local volunteers organizing through Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to deliver food, offer boats, or assist in rescues.
Rebuilding Amid Grief
As the waters begin to recede, the full scale of the devastation is only beginning to emerge. Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed. Several bridges and roadways have been washed out. A growing list of the deceased includes not only residents but tourists, first responders, and in some tragic cases, entire families.
Yet amid the destruction, Texans are pulling together.
“We’re heartbroken—but we’re Texans,” said Kerrville Mayor Judy Eychner. “We’ll bury our dead, we’ll search for the missing, and we’ll rebuild—together.”
As rescue teams continue combing the muddy banks of the Guadalupe River, the heartbreak of a community still hangs in the air. The names of the missing are spoken in hushed voices, candles flicker at makeshift vigils, and families cling to each other in wait. Yet in the face of grief, Texans are doing what they’ve always done: stepping up, standing together, and refusing to let tragedy define them. As the floodwaters slowly retreat, the long process of healing begins—not just for those who lost loved ones, but for a state reminded once again of both nature’s fury and the resilience of the human spirit.
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