Central Texas is reeling in the aftermath of catastrophic floods that swept through Hill Country and surrounding areas between July 4 and 5, leaving at least 50 people dead, including 15 children, and dozens still missing. Torrential rains, rapidly rising rivers, and flash floods combined to create one of the region’s deadliest natural disasters in decades.

A Holiday Turned Tragic

The disaster struck during the July 4 holiday weekend, traditionally a time of celebrations, family gatherings, and summer camps. But instead of fireworks, Texans witnessed relentless downpours that transformed serene rivers into raging torrents.

By late July 4, the National Weather Service had issued multiple flash flood emergencies for counties including Kerr, Burnet, Llano, and areas around Austin. Rainfall in some spots exceeded 15–20 inches (380–500 mm) in less than 24 hours—far surpassing predictions.

“We were anticipating heavy rain, but this was beyond anything we’ve ever modeled,” said meteorologist Linda Garza from the National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio. “Rivers rose faster than we could warn people.”

Guadalupe River Becomes a Killer

One of the hardest-hit areas was along the Guadalupe River, which surged to levels of 22 to 29 feet above flood stage within hours. Massive walls of water swept away homes, vehicles, trees, and campsites.

In Kerr County, tragedy struck a beloved summer retreat: Camp Mystic, a private girls’ camp on the banks of the Guadalupe. As floodwaters rose swiftly overnight, cabins were inundated. Camp staff and rescue teams scrambled to evacuate hundreds of girls, many of whom had been asleep when the waters surged in.

At least 27 girls from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for, as of Saturday afternoon, sparking a frantic search effort involving helicopters, drones, and rescue boats. Families have gathered at staging areas, anxiously awaiting news.

“We pray we’ll find these children alive,” said Kerr County Sheriff Jim Martinez, visibly shaken during a press briefing. “We’re throwing every resource we have into the search.”

Heroic Rescues and Widespread Destruction

Emergency services across Central Texas were stretched to the limit. Officials reported over 850 high-water rescues in a single night, including dramatic operations to extract people trapped in cars, on rooftops, and clinging to trees.

One woman in Marble Falls described being stranded in her attic for nine hours before rescuers arrived by boat.

“I thought I was going to drown in my own home,” said 34-year-old Jessica Perez, sobbing as she recounted the ordeal. “The water came so fast. One minute it was just raining. The next minute, it was like a river flowing through my living room.”

Whole neighborhoods were submerged under muddy waters. Bridges and roads were washed away, leaving some communities cut off for nearly 24 hours. Power outages affected tens of thousands, while cell phone service was sporadic, complicating rescue coordination.

Local hospitals have been treating a steady influx of patients suffering from hypothermia, cuts, and injuries sustained while trying to escape the floodwaters.

Death Toll Likely to Rise

The confirmed death toll stands at at least 50, though officials fear it may rise as floodwaters recede and search teams access previously unreachable areas.

Many of the deceased were found in vehicles swept off roads or in homes engulfed by sudden surges. In one especially grim discovery, rescue crews found a family of five huddled together in the remains of their house near Kerrville.

“These floods took people completely by surprise,” said Chief Daniel Rodriguez of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. “The speed and volume of the water were staggering.”

A Community in Mourning

Churches, community centers, and schools have opened as temporary shelters for the displaced. Volunteers have poured in from across Texas, delivering blankets, food, and bottled water.

Meanwhile, families cling to hope for missing loved ones, posting photos and pleas on social media. Local authorities are urging people to stay away from flood zones both for safety and to avoid hindering rescue operations.

Governor Maria Castillo has declared a state of emergency in over a dozen counties and has requested federal disaster assistance. “Texans are resilient,” she said during a news conference, “but we need help to recover from this unimaginable tragedy.”

Environmental and Climate Questions

Meteorologists and climate scientists are warning that such intense rainfall events are becoming more common in Texas due to climate change, which fuels storms with warmer, moisture-laden air.

“This is not an isolated incident,” said Dr. Kevin Hsu, a climatologist at the University of Texas. “We’re seeing extreme rainfall and flooding more frequently. We have to rethink our infrastructure and emergency plans.”

The Road Ahead

As rivers slowly return to their banks, Central Texas faces a long recovery. Cleanup crews are beginning to assess the staggering damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. Insurance claims are expected to soar into hundreds of millions of dollars.

For now, however, the priority remains saving lives. Search-and-rescue teams continue combing debris-laden riverbanks and submerged vehicles, hoping to find survivors.

In a region known for its hospitality and community spirit, Texans are vowing to stand together in the face of heartbreak.

“This is home,” said Pastor Luis Mendoza of Kerrville, standing amid ruined pews in his flooded church. “We’ve lost so much, but we’ll help each other through this. We have to.