Catastrophic flash floods swept through Central Texas on July 4, resulting in a heartbreaking loss of at least 120 lives. Among those fatalities are over two dozen individuals from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls situated along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The current search operations by rescue teams are ongoing, as more than 160 people remain unaccounted for, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The floods wreaked havoc, particularly in Kerr County, where rising river levels were attributed to heavy rainfall saturating the region, known as Texas Hill Country. This area experienced the most severe impacts, with Kerrville—Kerr County’s largest city—being approximately 100 miles west of Austin and 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Kerr County reported the highest number of casualties, totaling at least 95 victims. Other affected counties include Travis County, where Austin is located, and surrounding areas such as Kendall, Burnet, Williamson, and Tom Green counties.
Camp Mystic, located in Hunt, Texas, was hosting about 550 children when the flooding occurred. Tragically, at least 27 campers and counselors perished due to the unexpected disaster. Fortunately, other nearby camps along the Guadalupe River, including Camp La Junta, have confirmed that their campers and staff are safe.
The devastation and loss of life have left a profound impact on the community, and the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts highlight the resilience of the affected families and emergency responders. Despite the tragedy, there’s hope as communities come together to support each other in the wake of this disaster.
In these challenging times, it is essential to remember the human spirits that rise in adversity and the collective efforts being made to restore safety and stability in the region.