A devastating flash flood has gripped Kerr County, Texas, leaving families shattered and a community desperately searching for answers. What was meant to be a joyful Fourth of July weekend turned tragic in a matter of minutes when the Guadalupe River, swollen by torrential rain, surged over 26 feet in just 45 minutes—turning campsites into disaster zones and lives upside down.
Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a beloved summer retreat nestled just outside Kerrville. More than 750 girls had gathered for the day’s festivities. As the rain intensified and the river began to rise, the camp was quickly cut off from communication—no WiFi, no electricity, no running water. Panic followed silence.
In the chaos that unfolded, at least 20 girls were reported missing. Search and rescue teams were quickly deployed, but navigating the treacherous terrain proved a daunting task. As of the latest reports, at least 51 people have died across the area—including 15 children. The number could rise as search efforts continue.
Janie Hunt, just nine years old, was among the campers. Her mother, in a tearful interview with CNN, confirmed the heartbreaking news that Janie had died as a result of the flooding. Her story is one of many emerging from the catastrophe—a stark reminder of how quickly nature can turn dangerous.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick addressed the press, stating that the missing children may not all be lost, but rather “out of communication” due to power outages and downed cell towers. Despite his attempt to instill hope, the fear among parents has only deepened with every passing hour.
The Kerrville Police Department released an emotional statement on July 5, pledging to continue rescue operations until every missing person is accounted for. “We have hundreds of first responders here with resources from all over the state,” the department wrote on Facebook. “Those who are missing and their loved ones are still on our minds. They are and will continue to be our main focus.”
Timelapse footage circulating online shows the terrifying speed at which the floodwaters overwhelmed the area. What began as a trickle across a shallow dip in the road turned into a raging torrent within minutes. The video captures stunned onlookers backing away as the water surges forward like a tidal wave. The reactions in the comments reflect the collective disbelief. “It happened so fast. I can’t believe no one was warned,” wrote one viewer. “That’s nightmare fuel,” said another.
As the community reels, questions are mounting about how such devastation could unfold so quickly without adequate warning. Some pointed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s alerts, asking why they weren’t enough. Others questioned local preparedness.
Governor Greg Abbott has signed an extended emergency declaration and requested federal assistance. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued ongoing flood warnings for much of the state, warning that continued rain could worsen the already dire situation.
Local officials have tried to explain the severity of the event. Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice pointed to the unique geography of the Guadalupe River. “There are two forks, a north and a south,” he said. “Normally, water travels down either one, then they merge before reaching Kerrville. But this time, the storm sat directly on top of both forks and dumped far more rain than was predicted.”
Rice added that the south fork alone rose from seven feet to 29 feet in just minutes—a nearly unimaginable surge that caught even experienced emergency teams off guard. “It all converged right at Guadalupe. There was no time.”
As the sun sets on Kerr County, search teams remain in the field, driven by duty and the faint hope that more lives might be saved. For now, families wait by their phones, refreshing news feeds, praying for updates. For those who have lost loved ones, the grief is raw. For those still waiting, the silence is unbearable.
And for everyone else watching from afar, this tragedy is a chilling reminder of how fragile life can be—and how quickly everything can change.