Deadly Texas floods claim at least 84 lives in Kerr County
According to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, 56 of the 84 victims confirmed in the county were adults, while 28 were children.
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Firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, load a body into a raft as they prepare for a water recovery along the Guadalupe River days after a flash flood swept through the area, on July 7, 2025, in Ingram, Texas. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)
US news sources reported Tuesday that catastrophic flash floods in Central Texas have left at least 84 people confirmed dead in Kerr County alone, with officials warning the death toll could exceed 100 as rescue teams continue to search submerged areas along the Guadalupe River.
The flooding, triggered by a sudden rise in the river early Friday, has devastated communities across the state and overwhelmed emergency services as they still race to locate the missing.
The flooding struck with little warning, submerging Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer retreat for girls, where 27 campers and staff lost their lives. "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy," read a statement on the camp's website, stressing, "We are praying for them constantly." The camp added it is "tirelessly deploying extensive resources" to locate the remaining missing individuals.
Among those killed were girls as young as 8 and 9, as well as the camp's director, Dick Eastland. Authorities said 10 campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for as of Monday evening.
"I had about 200 kids — scared, cold, and terrified. Probably the worst day of their lives."
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 7, 2025
Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin shares how he helped save 165 people during the devastating Texas floods at Camp Mystic. pic.twitter.com/1jUWQGDqKa
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who toured the flood-ravaged area, described the destruction as "nothing short of horrific." During a Sunday briefing, he confirmed that 41 people remain officially unaccounted for, but he noted that additional individuals may still be missing but not yet reported.
According to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, of the 84 confirmed fatalities in the county, 56 were adults and 28 were children. Authorities are still working to identify 22 of the deceased adults and 10 children.
Read more: Extreme weather, powerful winds predicted for 100 million Americans
Senator Ted Cruz commended local responders during a briefing, stating that over 850 high-water rescues have taken place since the flooding began, highlighting numerous acts of courage and selflessness.
President Trump, responding to the scale of the disaster, issued a major disaster declaration for Kerr County and confirmed that federal emergency resources are being coordinated with state and local agencies.
Catastrophic flooding in Kerr County, Texas has left 13 people dead and 23 girls missing from Camp Mystic. The Guadalupe River rose about 9 meters after 18 cm of rain. 500 rescuers and 40 helicopters deployed. A once-in-a-lifetime disaster. #Texas #flood #kerrville #alert #usa pic.twitter.com/3ZJFo0u2b0
— WeatherUpdateEU (@WeatherUpdateEU) July 4, 2025
The National Weather Service warned on Monday that the threat isn't over. A flood watch remains active for several parts of the state as slow-moving thunderstorms continue to bring the risk of new flash floods. The NWS forecast noted that "another day of localized flash flooding threat in central Texas" is likely, with scattered storms expected to redevelop.