Texas Floods Devastate: 104 Dead, 27 from Camp Mystic Among Victims – Urgent Search for Missing Continues
Devastating Texas floods leave 104 dead, including 27 from Camp Mystic. Emergency crews continue urgent search for missing as the state faces one of its deadliest natural disasters
More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in severe flooding in Central Texas as emergency workers continued to look for dozens who remained missing. In Kerr County, Camp Mystic said it was grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors. Ten girls and one counselor were still unaccounted for on Monday, the fourth day of the search.
As the flood began to recede, residents of Hunt, Texas, began to piece together what was left of their town. At Casa Bonita Lodges, slabs of concrete were all that was left of a dozen or so cabins.
Between July 4–7, 2025, catastrophic flash floods swept through Central Texas, especially Kerr County along the Guadalupe River. Triggered by record rain—up to 20 inches in places—this historic deluge claimed at least 104 lives, including 27 campers and staff from Camp Mystic, and left 24+ still missing This piece dives into the human toll, community response, preparedness questions, and the drive for systemic change.
A mesoscale convective complex, partially fueled by remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, unleashed 5–20 inches of rain over a short time span The Guadalupe River at Hunt surged more than 26 feet in under 45 minutes, reaching a record height of 37.5 ft before the gauge halted This deluge overwhelmed terrain in the Texas Hill Country—where natural drainage is limited and water quickly pooled—triggering one of the most devastating flash floods in Texas history
84+ in Kerr County
7 in Travis County
6 in Kendall County
4 in Burnet County
2 in Williamson County
1 in Tom Green County
104+ fatalities were confirmed by July 7, with at least 24 individuals still missing across the state
27 campers & staff from the all-girls Christian camp perished
Among them were 8-year-old twins Hanna & Rebecca Lawrence; their 14-year-old sister Harper survived
Camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland tragically died while evacuating girls
Initially 27 missing campers/staff; by July 6, 11 girls and 1 counselor remained unaccounted; later numbers shrank to 10 missing girls and 1 missing counselor
The camp, founded in 1926 and spanning 725 acres, was designed for girls aged 8–17 and traditionally located along the Guadalupe River
The flood struck around 4 a.m. CDT on July 4, catching the camp—full with approximately 750 campers—off guard
Some survivors clung to trees or rafters until rescued. Others fled to attics as waters overwhelmed first floors
At Camp Mystic, evacuees navigated ropes strung by rescuers across storm-swollen bridges. A cabin group held tight to a rope while wading through deep water
14 state helicopters, 12 drones, and 400–500 ground rescuers scoured the area
17 helicopters deployed statewide; 237 people, including 167 via helicopter, were rescued
Rescue missions faced challenges: floods worsened by drone collisions and poor visibility
Search teams found 84 bodies in Kerr County alone, including 28 children
Though the National Weather Service (NWS) issued its first flash-flood warning at 1:14 a.m. CST on July 4, followed by an emergency alert around 4:03 a.m., the timing limited evacuation options
Camp Mystic had emergency plans in place and was ACA-accredited. However, staff began evacuating two hours after the first warning, by which point water infiltration had already begun
Issues hampering timely alerts included:
- Poor cell reception and no weather radios at remote campsites.
- No outdoor sirens in Kerr County.
- A proposed flash-flood warning system and sirens had been scrapped or not funded
Critics argue better infrastructure, adherence to evacuation plans, and full funding of early-warning networks might have saved lives.
This tragedy sparked debate over budget cuts, leadership and emergency preparedness:
- The White House and Senator Ted Cruz defended response efforts, attributing the floods to nature and protecting federal support levels
Critics point to cutbacks at NOAA and the NWS under the Trump Administration—specifically in key states’ staffing—as hampering precise, localized warnings
Kerr County officials admitted awareness of flooding risks—over 100 flash floods since 1960—but noted inadequate funding hindered installation of sirens/warning systems
Public pressure is mounting through petitions and social media, demanding accountability and investment in real-time alerts .
A post-mortem review of system failures and emergency protocols has been announced once rescue efforts conclude
Fort Worth siblings hosted a lemonade stand & bake sale, raising funds for Camp Mystic and nearby camps
Restaurants are donating proceeds: Italian eateries in Hurst pledged to donate 100% of sales from July 7–10
Bars, local chefs, Salvation Army, and nonprofits like World Central Kitchen joined forces to aid relief efforts
Churches and camps nationwide sent messages of support; one camp in Maryland penned a card for Camp Mystic staff
Twins Hanna & Rebecca Lawrence, 8, tragically lost; their sister Harper survived
Many other children, counselors, and staff perished, including:
- Linnie Anne McCown (8),
- Renee Smajstrla (8),
- Eloise Peck & best friend Lila Bonner
Camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland died heroically saving campers
Victims ranged from local families to professionals like UTSA professor Dr. Katheryn Eads
A poignant moment: the Pope extended prayers after the tragedy, emphasizing the deep human connection felt .
Rebuild and modernize warning systems—including sirens, weather radios, and CodeRed—especially in “flash flood alley.”
Enforce evacuation drills and communication methods at camps/campgrounds.
Restore or increase NWS staffing to ensure readiness and local expertise.
Legislate funding for flood resilience, possibly through FEMA or state budgets.
Strengthen regional emergency coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.
The July 2025 floods stand as a stark reminder: even familiar areas can suddenly become deadly. The lives lost—especially young girls at Camp Mystic—and the heroism displayed demand a comprehensive response. While hundreds of lives were saved through valiant efforts, the loss of 104 souls underscores an urgent need: better systems, earlier warnings, and a collective will to protect our most vulnerable.
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