Texas Floods Leave 52 Dead Including 15 Children

As of July 6, 2025, at least 52 people have died following catastrophic flooding caused by the overflow of the Guadalupe River across central and southern Texas. Among the victims are 15 children, with dozens more reported missing, prompting intensified search and rescue operations across the affected areas.

The hardest-hit region is Kerr County, where 43 fatalities have been confirmed, including multiple minors. The sudden and violent surge of the river caught many off guard, particularly in the Texas Hill Country, where flash flood conditions worsened rapidly due to saturated soil from previous rainfall.

Local authorities remain on high alert, warning that the death toll could rise as teams continue searching for those still unaccounted for.

Summer Camp Devastated by Sudden River Surge

One of the most heartbreaking incidents occurred at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. Over 750 young girls were staying at the facility to celebrate the July 4 holiday when the river rose up to eight meters in less than an hour, sweeping away tents, structures, and people.

So far, at least one child has been confirmed dead, and 27 remain missing, triggering urgent search efforts across the flooded zone.

Dalton Rice, city administrator of Kerrville, told CNN that “hundreds of people have been rescued from these camps throughout the day,” but locating the missing children remains the top priority. “We are fully focused on safety. Our mission is to find every person involved, and we will continue through the night to ensure that happens,” he said.

Rescue Operations Intensify Amid Ongoing Rain Threat

Emergency teams led by Texas Division of Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd are conducting extensive search operations along the Guadalupe River, deploying aircraft, boats, ground crews, and tracking dogs. “We will not stop until everyone missing is found,” Kidd assured during a press briefing.

Despite these efforts, weather conditions continue to pose serious risks. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued alerts for heavy rains — up to 10 cm per hour — which could trigger new flash floods in several parts of Texas over the next few hours.

More than 850 residents have been evacuated, with officials urging over 100,000 people to move to higher ground to avoid being trapped by rising waters. Authorities in Kerr County have advised against travel in the western part of the region unless strictly necessary.

“Over 30 centimeters of rain fell overnight, and creeks rose rapidly,” warned the NWS on its official X account, reiterating the need for immediate action to protect lives.

Federal Response and Government Coordination

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed the federal government’s full commitment to supporting rescue missions, family reunification, and recovery efforts. “DHS remains fully engaged, and I am in constant contact with the president, working around the clock and providing real-time updates,” she said while visiting Kerr County alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

State officials held a press conference to update the public on ongoing search and rescue operations and coordinate responses to the threat of renewed rainfall.

Social and Humanitarian Impact

The tragedy has deeply shaken local communities and the nation as a whole. Entire families have lost loved ones, and uncertainty continues to grip hundreds awaiting news of their missing relatives.

The Guadalupe River reached its second-highest level ever recorded, marking a rare and devastating event in recent decades. Rescue teams work tirelessly to locate survivors, especially among the missing children, as volunteers and communities unite in solidarity to support those affected.