Texas Flood Catastrophe: Over 50 Dead, Dozens Still Missing After Guadalupe River Overflows

A devastating flash flood swept through central Texas over the Independence Day weekend, claiming the lives of at least 52 people, including 15 children, and leaving dozens more missing. The disaster was triggered by torrential rains that caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 26 feet in under an hour, overwhelming communities in the Texas Hill Country.

Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, where 700 children were in residence when the floodwaters struck. As of Sunday morning, 27 campers remain unaccounted for, and search-and-rescue teams continue to comb the area using helicopters, boats, and drones.

The flood, described by officials as a “once-in-a-century” event, left behind a trail of destruction—washed-out roads, collapsed buildings, and debris-strewn riverbanks. Survivors have recounted harrowing escapes, with some rescued from treetops and rooftops.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in 15 counties and designated Sunday as a Day of Prayer. “We will not stop until every single person is found,” vowed Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha.

As the waters recede, the focus shifts from rescue to recovery, and the full scale of the tragedy continues to unfold.