In the early hours of July 4–5, a catastrophic flash flood ripped through Kerr County and the surrounding Hill Country, turning the Guadalupe River into a deadly torrent. Fueled by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry and stalled atmospheric moisture, the river surged by over 30 feet in under 90 minutes, inundating low-lying areas, campsites, and neighborhoods — many without warning (Washington Post).

 

“We had no sirens, no clear evacuation orders, and barely any cell signal,” said Hunt resident Jennifer Morales, whose family home was swept off its foundation. “One moment we were asleep, the next, the water was waist-high.”

The tragedy hit especially hard at Camp Mystic, a well-known girls’ summer camp located near Ingram. According to officials, at least 10 girls and 1 counselor are still missing. Grieving parents are demanding answers, with some stating that the camp ignored early weather forecasts and did not evacuate despite known risks.

 

“They told us not to worry. They said they had protocols in place,” said Laura Bonner, mother of 12-year-old Lila Bonner, who was later confirmed dead (People).

 

As of July 7, over 95 people have been confirmed dead, with the toll expected to rise (MySanAntonio). Rescuers, including Texas Game Wardens, Coast Guard, local fire crews, and over 1,000 volunteers, have conducted non-stop operations — pulling more than 850 people to safety by boat and helicopter (The Guardian). The Guadalupe River crested at nearly 34 feet near Kerrville, shattering local records.