Kerr County, Texas (Agencies) July 6, 2025 — The death toll from catastrophic flash floods in central Texas has climbed to 68, with 21 children among the victims, according to Kerr County officials. The most harrowing chapter of the disaster continues to unfold at Camp Mystic, a historic Christian summer camp for girls nestled along the Guadalupe River, where 11 campers and one counselor remain missing.
The floods struck early on July 4, triggered by intense rainfall—up to 15 inches in some areas—that caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than 26 feet in under an hour, overwhelming cabins and sweeping away vehicles. Camp Mystic, hosting 750 girls aged 7 to 17, was hit hardest. Survivors described scenes of chaos as staff scrambled to move children to higher ground in darkness, with some girls found clinging to trees or stranded on rooftops.
Among the confirmed dead are several young campers, including Sarah Marsh (8), Janie Hunt (9), and Lila Bonner (9)6. The camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, also perished while attempting to rescue children.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick have visited the site, describing the devastation as “unlike anything seen in a natural disaster.” Patrick vowed, “We will do everything humanly possible to find every girl who was in those cabins”.
In response, President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration, activating FEMA to assist with search, rescue, and recovery operations. The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed helicopters and thermal-equipped aircraft, while over 850 people have been rescued statewide.
Questions are mounting over the National Weather Service’s warning protocols, with critics citing staffing shortages and delayed alerts. Although flood watches were issued on July 3, the first flash flood emergency came only hours before the river breached its banks.
Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, has long been a cherished institution in Texas, with ties to prominent families including those of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Laura Bush. Now, it stands as the epicenter of a tragedy that has shaken the state.