Texas Flooding at Camp Mystic: Rising Death Toll and Search for Missing Campers

Texas Flooding at Camp Mystic: Rising Death Toll and Search for Missing Campers

HUNT, TEXAS — July 7, 2025 — A powerful flash flood swept through parts of Central Texas over the weekend, claiming dozens of lives and leaving several individuals, including children, still missing. One of the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a historic girls’ summer camp located along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Kerr County.

Officials confirmed that the Texas flood death toll has reached 82, with at least 28 children among the deceased. The flooding began early on July 4 following unprecedented rainfall in the Hill Country region. The Guadalupe River rose by over 25 feet in less than an hour, inundating camps, homes, and low-lying areas with little warning.

Among the deceased is 18-year-old counselor Chloe Childress, as well as several campers, including 9-year-old Janie Hunt, a relative of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. Authorities have also reported 11 campers and one counselor remain missing, as search and rescue operations continue throughout the area.

Emergency responders, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, National Guard, and volunteer groups such as the Cajun Navy and Samaritan’s Purse, are actively assisting with rescue and recovery efforts. Helicopters, drones, sonar equipment, and canine units are being used in the ongoing search operations.

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, hosts hundreds of girls each summer. According to eyewitnesses and video footage from the night of the flood, counselors and staff attempted to evacuate cabins amid rising waters. Videos show young campers huddled together, singing camp songs and praying while waiting for help.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) attributed the flooding to a stalled weather system that delivered up to 20 inches of rain in certain areas. The steep topography of the Texas Hill Country, coupled with saturated ground and insufficient warning time, contributed to the flash flood's deadly impact.

Federal assistance has been mobilized following a major disaster declaration by President Donald Trump. Aid organizations including World Central Kitchen, Mercy Chefs, and local church groups have established support stations to provide food, water, shelter, and counseling services to victims and families.

Kerr County Judge and emergency officials have urged the public to avoid affected zones while crews work to clear debris and assess further risks. Grief counselors have been deployed to assist families in Ingram, Center Point, and Kerrville, where many of the victims resided.

"This is one of the most devastating natural disasters we've ever seen in this region," said Kerr County Sheriff Mike Morgan. "We are committed to bringing everyone home and helping our community heal."

State officials, including Rep. Chip Roy, have called for an investigation into the region’s early warning systems and infrastructure preparedness. The tragedy has also reignited conversations around climate resilience and the frequency of extreme weather events in Texas.

Camp Mystic remains closed until further notice as authorities continue their work and grieving families begin to hold memorials.

Search efforts are expected to continue throughout the week, with updates provided by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local authorities.