News Summary

Severe flooding in Texas has led to more than 80 confirmed deaths, primarily in the Kerr County area, following relentless rain that caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly. With ongoing search and rescue operations focused on missing campers from a nearby summer camp, the community mobilizes to support the affected families amidst this tragedy. A federal disaster declaration has been made to assist in relief efforts, as the state grapples with the aftermath and prepares for potential further rainfall.

Ingram, Texas

Devastating flooding in Texas has resulted in over 80 confirmed deaths and dozens of individuals remain missing as search and rescue operations continue. The catastrophic flooding, primarily affecting the Kerr County region, was triggered by a sudden surge of rain that caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes.

The floods occurred on July 4th, prompting rescue teams to focus their efforts on locating missing campers from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River. Among the confirmed fatalities are four campers from the camp, identified as Renee Smajstria, Janie Hunt, and Lila Bonner. Current reports indicate the statewide death toll has reached 51 in central Texas, with Kerr County bearing the brunt of the tragedy with 43 confirmed deaths, including 27 children. Additional fatalities have been reported in Burnet County, as well as Travis and Kendall counties.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from their homes, with many requiring helicopter rescues to safety. The Trump administration has announced plans to honor a federal disaster declaration aimed at assisting the relief efforts following this devastating event. Local volunteer fire departments are actively engaged in rescue operations, yet they too have suffered significant losses. The Comfort Volunteer Fire Department has initiated a Venmo account for donations to replace their nearly destroyed equipment.

Ongoing Search and Recovery Efforts

As search and rescue operations persist, Texas Search and Rescue teams have been deployed in Kerr County to assist in the ongoing efforts to locate missing individuals. The Community Foundation is spearheading a fundraising initiative to support vetted organizations involved in rescue and recovery operations, highlighting the community’s resilience amid the tragedy.

Response and Relief Measures

In response to the flooding, local officials have opened several reunification centers for family members searching for unaccounted loved ones. Mayor of Kerrville, Joe Herring Jr., has urged the community to extend prayers and donations to assist those affected. Additionally, the Alamo Heights Independent School District is providing counseling services to students impacted by the disaster.

The National Weather Service had previously issued timely flood warnings in anticipation of the torrential rainfall that led to the flash flooding, although concerns about federal staffing levels have been raised in the aftermath. Scientists are warning that extreme rainfall events like the one experienced in Texas are becoming increasingly prevalent due to climate change, which is contributing to higher levels of atmospheric moisture.

Community Support Initiatives

Local elementary schools have converted their facilities into donation centers to help replace lost supplies and offer essential support to families. Meanwhile, the STAR Fund has been established to assist in restoring agricultural operations severely affected by the floods. Current weather forecasts indicate that more rainfall is expected, raising concerns of potential further exacerbation of the flooding situation, with rates of up to 2 inches per hour possible in some areas.

As the situation evolves, evacuation warnings have been issued for surrounding areas, urging residents to avoid flooded regions. President Donald Trump has expressed condolences and confirmed that federal assistance will be mobilized to aid Texas communities affected by the flooding. With searches ongoing and impacted communities rallying support, the state remains focused on recovery efforts amidst this tragic natural disaster.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Central Texas Flooding Claims Lives and Causes Destruction
Catastrophic Flash Flooding in Central Texas Claims Lives
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San Antonio Investigates Death of Man Found in Street
Horrific Floods in Kerrville, Texas Result in Tragedy
San Antonio Flooding Claims 13 Lives, Medical Examiner Confirms Drowning Causes
Devastating Flash Floods Strike Texas Hill Country
Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas Claims Lives
Tragic Flash Floods Hit Central Texas with Heavy Toll

Additional Resources

• New York Times
• Wikipedia: 2025 Texas floods
• CBS News
• Google Search: 2025 Texas floods
• CNN
• Google Scholar: 2025 Texas floods
• NBC News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: 2025 Texas floods
• Washington Post
• Google News: 2025 Texas floods

Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER

The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.