KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) – Flash floods in Texas claimed the lives of dozens and left many July Fourth visitors and campers missing, particularly girls attending Camp Mystic. The destruction along the Guadalupe River, located just outside San Antonio, has prompted a significant search effort as officials face inquiries regarding their preparedness and the timeliness of their initial responses.
As the situation unfolds, it’s essential to understand the scope of the deadly flooding, the severe weather system responsible, and ongoing efforts to locate victims. The floods reached their peak during a long holiday weekend, hitting in the early morning hours when many people were asleep. The Texas Hill Country is known for its susceptibility to flash flooding, primarily due to its dry, dirt-packed soils that allow rainwater to flow over the surface rather than being absorbed. This culminated in a storm that dropped nearly 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in a very short time frame.
Following a flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service released an urgent warning at around 4 a.m., indicating a potential for catastrophic damage and a critical threat to human life. By 5:20 a.m., residents in the Kerrville area reported dangerously high water levels. The torrential rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes, resulting in devastating consequences.
As of Sunday morning, the death toll had reached at least 59 in Kerr County, along with an additional eight fatalities in central Texas. Among the victims in Kerr County were 38 adults and 21 children; tragically, 16 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, were identified among the deceased, with 11 more girls still unaccounted for. Past campers expressed profound grief as their fond memories of the camp turned into sorrow.
Beyond those identified from Camp Mystic, the number of missing individuals from other nearby campgrounds and locations has not yet been disclosed. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice indicated that estimating the number of missing persons would be premature, especially with the influx of visitors over the holiday weekend.
Survivors have recounted experiences of the floods as a "pitch black wall of death," expressing their belief that they received no emergency warnings prior to the disaster. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly commented that “nobody saw this coming,” as various officials categorized the event as a "100-year-flood," suggesting water levels and intensity were historically unprecedented for the region. However, records of past flooding events do not always consider the impact of human-induced climate change. Meteorologists noted that a warming atmosphere holds more moisture, which can lead to heavier rainfalls during severe storms.
Additionally, there has been considerable scrutiny over why residents and summer camps along the river were not alerted earlier than the 4 a.m. warning or advised to evacuate. Officials mentioned that public fatigue from repeated alerts for minor flooding events can hinder the effectiveness of future warnings. Moreover, Kerr County officials had proposed implementing a more comprehensive flood warning system, akin to tornado alerts, but faced opposition from the community over costs associated with such a system.
The aftermath of the floods has resulted in a monumental clearing and rebuilding effort, as entire campgrounds have been washed away while homes have been uprooted from their foundations. Judge Kelly, after surveying the calamity from a helicopter, remarked on the lengthy recovery process ahead. Other significant flooding incidents have previously driven residents and business owners to abandon their properties altogether, as witnessed last year in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
AP photographers have documented the extensive damage caused by the flooding and one of Texas’ largest rescue and recovery operations. The scale of devastation underscores the critical need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies amid increasingly severe weather patterns.
