Nearly 70 Dead Across Central Texas After Guadalupe River Surges; Campers Still Missing

At least 67 people are confirmed dead and dozens more remain missing after catastrophic flash floods swept across Central Texas over the July 4 weekend — one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent state history.

The hardest-hit area was Kerr County, where 59 people were killed, including 38 adults and 21 children, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha. Additional fatalities have been confirmed in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, and Tom Green counties, bringing the regional death toll close to 70.

Among those still unaccounted for are 11 young girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.

Campers Still Missing Along Guadalupe River

Authorities said the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes in the early morning hours Friday, sweeping away cabins and riverside bunkhouses as campers slept. Initial reports said 27 girls were missing, but that number was revised Sunday morning.

As of Monday, none of the 11 missing girls or their counselor have been located — dead or alive.

“We will continue our search efforts until everyone is found,” said Sheriff Leitha during a press conference Sunday.

Search teams from multiple agencies, including Texas DPS, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Homeland Security, remain on-site using airboats, sonar, and thermal imaging drones. Ground crews are walking the riverbanks by foot.

Gov. Greg Abbott said rescue teams have been instructed to operate on the assumption that all missing persons may still be alive.

“Every minute counts,” Abbott said. “We have people in the air, in the water, and on the ground looking to save every last life.”

More than 850 people have been rescued so far.

Federal Disaster Declaration Signed

President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration Sunday morning for Kerr County, authorizing federal emergency assistance. The announcement was shared on Truth Social and reposted by Gov. Abbott on X, who thanked the Trump administration for supporting Texas during the crisis.

Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for your dedication to Texas.

Collaboration between our state, local, and federal partners is critical to our state’s recovery.

Thank you to our brave first responders working around the clock to find missing Texans. https://t.co/Ogej4RnHmK

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 6, 2025

“These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy,” Trump wrote. “With many lives lost and many still missing, our Brave First Responders now have the resources they need.”

Drone Restrictions and Volunteer Info

Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice asked the public to stop flying personal drones in the flood zone due to safety concerns for aircraft involved in the ongoing operation.

Anyone with a missing family member is asked to:

• Email: [email protected] (include name, description, and photo)

• Call: 830-258-1111

• Volunteer Inquiries: [email protected] or Salvation Army Kerrville at 830-465-4797

Day of Prayer and Papal Condolences

Gov. Abbott declared Sunday a statewide Day of Prayer, urging Texans to pray for the lives lost and those still missing.

“Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience,” Abbott said. “Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope.”

Pope Leo XIV also acknowledged the tragedy during his weekly Angelus, expressing condolences to the families — specifically those of the missing girls at the summer camp.

What We Know So Far