News Summary
Catastrophic flooding in Central Texas has led to the tragic loss of over 50 lives, including children from a nearby summer camp. Intense rainfall caused rivers to swell dramatically, resulting in one of the worst floods in the area’s history. Rescue efforts are underway, but many individuals remain unaccounted for. The devastating storm has raised concerns about weather forecasting and emergency response capabilities in the region, while the community faces a long road to recovery amidst ongoing challenges.
Kerrville, Texas – Catastrophic flooding in Central Texas has claimed the lives of over 50 individuals, including many children attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp near Kerr County. The intense rainfall, which brought nearly four months’ worth of precipitation in just four hours, led to one of the most devastating floods in the area’s history.
Meteorologists had initially issued flood watches expecting only 1 to 2 inches of rain; however, the actual rainfall drastically exceeded these forecasts, with some areas receiving between 10 to 15 inches. The National Weather Service had indicated that unusual atmospheric conditions, fueled by moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, would lead to severe weather. The storm system stagnated over the region, causing persistent heavy rainfall in the same locations.
As rivers swelled, the Guadalupe River rose from 7 feet to 29 feet within several hours, marking a critical flood stage. The flooding has been described as catastrophic by local authorities, with Kerrville police declaring it possibly the worst flood to impact the community.
Rescue operations have been ongoing, with reports indicating that 237 people have been evacuated, including individuals rescued by helicopters. However, many remain unaccounted for, with at least 27 girls from Camp Mystic initially reported missing. Tragically, among the deceased are 15 children, including two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, ages 11 and 13, who perished when their cabin was swept away.
As of Saturday, subsequent rainfall complicated rescue efforts, with ongoing warnings of flooding. Officials from the National Weather Service had previously warned of life-threatening conditions due to the severe rainfall, which has led to an estimated 1.8 trillion gallons of rain falling over Texas Hill Country and the Edwards Plateau.
In response to the disaster, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for several counties impacted by the flooding, while federal assistance has been pledged by President Donald Trump. As search and rescue efforts continue, officials and volunteers are engaged in frantic searches across the debris-strewn landscape.
Among the concerns raised during this crisis is criticism directed at weather forecasting and local emergency management for their handling of the unusual storm conditions. The flood has been characterized as a “one-in-100-years” event due to the magnitude and intensity of rainfall experienced. Reports indicated that the rainfall rates reached astonishing levels, exceeding 5 inches per hour, highlighting the unpredictability of the weather systems affecting the area.
The implications of this disaster extend beyond immediate responses, as challenges are emerging related to staffing shortages at the National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies. These shortages have complicated recovery and analysis operations, hampering efforts to provide timely information and support.
The community now faces the long road to recovery, with emergency services working tirelessly to assess the damage and locate those still missing. As grieving families cope with the devastating loss, support networks are emerging, and officials are urging continued vigilance regarding the unpredictable nature of severe weather.
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Additional Resources
- CNN Weather
- Wikipedia: Flooding in Texas
- New York Times Live
- Google Search: Texas Flood 2025
- BBC News
- Google Scholar: Texas Flood 2025
- KVUE News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Floods
- NBC Palm Springs
- Google News: Texas Flooding
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.
