Central Texas remains in a state of crisis as search and rescue teams continue combing through mud-choked riverbanks and flooded terrain in the wake of catastrophic flash floods that have claimed at least 78 lives since Friday. Authorities warn the number is likely to rise.
The worst-hit area is Kerrville, a Hill Country town 85 miles northwest of San Antonio, where the Guadalupe River swelled to deadly levels after predawn torrential rain overwhelmed the region. Sixty-eight people, including 28 children, have been confirmed dead in Kerr County alone, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha.
Camp Mystic Tragedy
Among the most heart-wrenching developments is the ongoing search for children at Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer retreat for girls along the banks of the Guadalupe. As of Sunday, 10 campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for, though authorities have not yet clarified the fate of others initially listed as missing.
“This has been one of the darkest days in the history of our community,” Sheriff Leitha said.
A man observes first responders as they attend to a vehicle pulled from the water in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
Widespread Impact Across South-Central Texas
Beyond Kerr County, the floods have caused at least 10 more fatalities across four additional counties: Burnet (3), Travis (5), Tom Green (1), and Williamson (1). Forty-one people are still listed as missing across the broader region, according to state officials.
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Director Freeman Martin warned that more bodies may be recovered as floodwaters recede and access improves. “It’s hot, there’s mud, they’re moving debris, there’s snakes,” Martin said, highlighting the hazardous conditions rescuers face on the ground.
Up to 15 Inches of Rain and a River’s Confluence
According to City Manager Dalton Rice, the flooding was caused by twice as much rain as forecast, falling over two tributaries that converge just upstream of Kerrville. This created an unstoppable torrent that surged through the town’s core, leaving devastation in its wake.
Emergency alerts were sent out ahead of the July Fourth holiday, but officials admitted the storm’s intensity far exceeded projections.
People react near the Guadalupe river, following flash flooding, in Kerrville, Texas, U.S. July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello
Massive Search and Rescue Operations
More than 850 people have been rescued so far, including some found clinging to trees. The operation has involved hundreds of emergency personnel, eight helicopters, and a high-tech MQ-9 Reaper drone for aerial surveillance. U.S. Coast Guard aircraft have joined the mission.
As rain continues to fall intermittently, saturated ground raises the risk of additional flash floods, posing a continuing threat to both residents and first responders.
Federal Response and Political Controversy
President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration on Sunday, triggering FEMA deployment and mobilizing federal resources. Trump, who said he would likely visit the disaster zone this coming Friday, emphasized the scale of the event, calling it a “100-year catastrophe.”
However, critics have pointed to potential failings in weather forecasting infrastructure, citing job cuts and leadership gaps at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) under Trump’s administration. Former NOAA director Rick Spinrad noted that staffing shortages may have affected the accuracy and communication of flood warnings.
First responders attend to a vehicle pulled from the water in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
One key vacancy—a warning coordination meteorologist—at the San Antonio-area Weather Service office left a critical gap in public outreach ahead of the flood. The role had been vacant since April, following a wave of early retirements.
Pressed about whether federal staffing cuts played a role in the disaster’s severity, Trump responded, “That water situation… that all is, and that was really the Biden setup. But I wouldn’t blame Biden for it, either. I would just say this is a 100-year catastrophe.”
“Once we’re out of this immediate crisis, there will be a full review,” said Governor Greg Abbott, emphasizing that the priority remains “rescue, recovery, and relief.
