What began as a warm Fourth of July holiday weekend in the Texas Hill Country turned into a nightmare no family will forget. Torrential rains triggered catastrophic flash floods across Kerr County, sweeping away homes, vehicles—and dozens of children attending summer camp. At least 27 people are confirmed dead, and the most gut-wrenching reality now setting in is this: over 20 children are still missing.
The Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet in less than an hour, a wall of water that authorities say was “utterly unforgiving.” One of the worst-hit locations was Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls, nestled beside the river near Hunt, Texas. It was here that cabins collapsed, bunkhouses were swept away, and campers were separated in the black of night by rushing water.
Families of the missing are now frantically posting photos and names online. Some of the missing are as young as 10. Many last seen clinging to cots or rafters. The heartbreak is immediate, raw, and unlike anything the community has faced in recent memory.
Absolutely gut-wrenching. At least 20 girls still missing after Camp Mystic was swallowed by floodwaters. This is no longer a rescue, it’s a plea. pic.twitter.com/ZlhBx2Fo5z— Travis Herzog (@TravisABC13) July 5, 2025
The flood was triggered by remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, which dumped more than 18 inches of rain in less than 12 hours across Central Texas. According to the National Weather Service, the Guadalupe River rose to historic levels “faster than any flood event on record in Kerr County.” First responders were overwhelmed. More than 800 rescues were carried out within 24 hours, many by boat or Black Hawk helicopters.
Camp Mystic was among several camps along the riverbanks caught off guard. Despite flood warnings issued hours earlier, some sites had no immediate communication from emergency services. A New York Times report suggests parents had no idea the water was rising until their daughters’ phones went silent.
These are the faces of just a few of the children still unaccounted for. Please share. This community is reeling and still hoping. pic.twitter.com/pkX4J3EV8x— Alex Capri (@alexcapri) July 5, 2025
Families began arriving at a reunification center set up at Ingram High School early Saturday morning. Grief counselors, clergy, and trauma teams were stationed throughout the gym, where cries of relief collided with screams of anguish. One mother, arms trembling, clutched a photo of her 12-year-old daughter Ava. “She called me at 3:14 a.m.,” she told CNN, “She said the water was inside their cabin. Then the call dropped.”
Many of the victims confirmed dead were trapped in vehicles or washed downstream after trying to flee collapsing structures. KHOU11 confirmed nine of the deceased are children, and that at least three adult counselors are among the missing.
The search effort continues with more than 300 personnel from state and federal agencies. Drones, sonar, and K-9 teams are combing the region. “We are in a rescue phase but understand that this may shift to recovery,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leathers in a somber briefing Saturday afternoon.
This is what rescue teams are dealing with in Kerr County. No roads. No bridges. Just devastation. We’re praying for the missing girls. pic.twitter.com/MfhBXQOevY— Texas Storm Watch (@TxStormWatch) July 5, 2025
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency across six counties and authorized federal resources. “What happened along the Guadalupe is every parent’s nightmare,” he said in a statement. “We will leave no stone unturned in finding these children.”
President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social, calling the flood “a terrible tragedy,” and announced he had ordered FEMA to deploy mobile hospitals, water rescue trucks, and grief support centers.
But survivors are already raising questions. Several parents have told The Texas Tribune that they had requested flood response drills at camps last year, only to be ignored. “We knew these camps were sitting next to rivers that flood every five years,” one parent wrote online. “And still, they weren’t prepared.”
Camp Mystic is a beloved place. But this could’ve been prevented. The warning signs were there. The parents want answers. pic.twitter.com/jKeOWZb0Lx— Julia Lindberg (@juliareporting) July 5, 2025
Many locals describe the flooding as biblical. Entire homes in the town of Ingram were destroyed. Bridges snapped. Streets are now rivers. Some families report having only 30 seconds to flee after hearing the roar of water outside their windows.
Climate scientists are now pointing to a disturbing trend. Flash flood events across Texas have increased by nearly 40% in the past two decades, fueled by warming atmospheric conditions. The storm that hit Kerr County may be part of a larger regional shift, experts told The Guardian.
Camp Mystic’s leadership has issued a short statement but has not responded to media inquiries. “We are working with all authorities and ask for privacy during this time,” the message reads. Some families say that’s not enough. “We trusted you with our babies,” one grieving father posted. “And now they’re gone.”
As night falls again over the flooded canyons of the Hill Country, search crews continue under artificial lights, their boots sinking into mud, eyes scanning for signs of life—or closure. The river has receded slightly, but the pain has not.
For families of the missing, hope is now a fragile thing, clinging like the children once did to broken rafters in the dark.
