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-Editorial
A catastrophic flood swept through Central Texas and downstream areas from the Hill Country, resulting in at least 70 confirmed deaths and 37 individuals reported missing. The disaster unfolded rapidly after 5 to 11 inches of rain fell within hours, triggering flash floods along the Guadalupe River and other waterways.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to provide an update on the ongoing response to severe flooding affecting the Texas Hill Country. The Governor also expanded the number of counties included in his disaster declaration and requested a federal disaster declaration.
“When Texans face a challenge, we come together, we unite, and that’s exactly what’s happened over the past twenty-four to forty-eight hours in this community,” said Governor Abbott. “We will be relentless in going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who’s been a victim of this flooding event. We are not going to stop today or tomorrow. This is a 24/7 operation, looking for Texans and Americans. They are our top priority, and we will find every one of them.”
The flooding began early on July 4 after remnants of Tropical Storm Barry merged with a Pacific moisture system, producing intense thunderstorms. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a flood watch the earlier afternoon and upgraded to a flood warning just after midnight. By 4:00 a.m., six flash flood emergencies were issued, including for the cities of Kerrville, Mason, and surrounding areas. Hunt, Texas, where the north and south forks of the Guadalupe River converge, saw the river rise by 22 feet in two hours, ultimately peaking at 29 feet before the gauge failed.
Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in Hunt, where over twenty children were declared missing. As of July 6, twenty-seven campers remained unaccounted for, with two confirmed fatalities at the camp. In total, 59 deaths occurred in Kerr County, with added fatalities reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson counties.
Search-and-rescue operations began July 4 and continued through the night, rescuing at least 237 people, 167 of them by helicopter. Telecommunications outages complicated rescue efforts, and many families struggled to contact loved ones. Kerrville issued a disaster declaration that day as the Guadalupe River surged to historic levels downstream, peaking at 30 feet in Comfort.
By July 5, further flash flood emergencies were declared, including near Lake Travis and Comal County. Rain totals reached over 20 inches in some areas, exacerbating the crisis.
President Donald Trump issued a formal letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott declaring a major disaster under the Stafford Act, following the deadly floods in Central Texas. “I have authorized Federal relief and recovery assistance in the affected area,” Trump wrote. “Individual Assistance and Public Assistance will be provided,” he added, noting that federal funding will cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs. He appointed Benjamin Abbott of FEMA as the Federal Coordinating Officer to oversee aid efforts.
The full impact of the flood continues to unfold, with emergency crews still conducting search and recovery missions across the region.