Public warnings came too late to save dozens from dying in Texas flooding

Updated July 9:

Search for Survivors Continues After Texas Floods

More than 100 people have been confirmed dead following devastating flash floods in Texas. Water levels remain dangerously high in the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, where around 20 children and camp leaders from a Christian summer camp tragically lost their lives. 

Critics argue that while meteorologists issued multiple warnings, the timing and communication may not have been sufficient to prompt evacuations—especially for vulnerable groups like campers asleep in remote areas. (read more about this below)

More than 1,500 emergency personnel and 925 vehicles and equipment units have been deployed across Central Texas in response to the catastrophic flooding. This includes:

• Local and state firefighters
• Texas National Guard teams
• Search and rescue crews with boats, drones, and helicopters

• Damage assessment units and medical responders

   

The operation spans multiple counties, with Kerr County being the epicenter of the disaster. Crews are working around the clock to locate missing individuals, clear debris, and support affected communities.

170 people are still missing. 

Camp Mystic Tragedy

• Ten girls from Camp Mystic are still missing, according to SVT correspondent Regina Svedberg Ågren.
• The hardest-hit area is Kerr County, with 84 confirmed deaths, including 28 children.
• The riverbanks are littered with broken trees and debris, painting a grim picture of the destruction. On the Ground in Kerrville
• Svedberg Ågren reports intense shock and grief among locals.
• Rescue workers have filled motels in the area, underscoring the scale of the emergency response.

Ongoing Search and Rising Risk

• Search efforts continue for the missing campers and others from nearby campgrounds.
• The exact number of missing individuals from those sites hasn’t been disclosed.
• Rainfall persists, and flood warnings remain in effect, raising concerns about further damage.

Updated July 6: 

Death Toll Rises After Flash Flood in Texas – More Rain Forecasted

The severe flooding in Texas has claimed the lives of at least 67 people, including 21 children, according to CNN. Now, the National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that more rainstorms are on the way, which could cause new floods in the state.

Four months’ worth of rain fell in just a few hours when water-laden thunderclouds stalled, creating a wall of water that surged down the Guadalupe River in the darkness of night, CNN reports. This limited how many people received warnings and had time to reach higher ground.

The flash floods began overnight Tuesday and continued until Friday morning. Many of the missing and deceased were people camping in nature areas, including a summer camp with 27 girls. Many were also off work celebrating U.S. Independence Day on Friday.

“Thousands of people came with tents, RVs, or rented small cabins along the riverbank... we don’t know who all these people are,” said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to NBC on Sunday.

“There were many visitors in a town of just 20,000 residents.”

The search for survivors is now in its third day, and local rescue teams are still hoping for miracles.

“This is a death toll that continues to rise,” said Patrick.

🌧️ NWS Warns of More Rain

The Guadalupe River, which winds outside San Antonio, rose more than 6 meters (20 feet) in under two hours during the downpour. It has since receded to just 1–2 meters above pre-flood levels, well below flood stage.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities warn that more rain is expected in central Texas, which could lead to flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas.

“A flood warning is in effect,” wrote NWS San Antonio / Austin on X.

🚨 State of Emergency Declared

On Sunday, President Donald Trump declared the situation in Texas a state of disaster and pledged to ensure that rescue personnel receive more resources.

“These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many dead and many still missing. The Trump administration continues to work closely with state and local leaders,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The river transformed into a lethal set of rapids in a matter of 20 minutes 

Original post on July 5:

A deadly flash flood swept through Central Texas in the early hours of July 4, leaving at least 25 people dead and dozens more missing, including children from a summer camp. As rescue teams continue their search along the Guadalupe River, scrutiny is mounting over the timing and effectiveness of official warnings.

The disaster unfolded rapidly. Torrential rains—up to 15 inches in some areas—fell overnight, causing the Guadalupe River to surge more than 25 feet in less than two hours. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a flash flood watch on July 3 and began escalating warnings after midnight. 

By 2:03 a.m., the NWS declared a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” urging residents to seek higher ground immediately. Yet, by the time many received alerts or noticed rising waters, it was too late.

Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, who was jogging near the river at 3:30 a.m., reported only light rain. By 5:00 a.m., the river had risen dramatically, and emergency calls began flooding in. “Within a matter of minutes it was up to 29 feet,” Rice said.

Critics argue that while meteorologists issued multiple warnings, the timing and communication may not have been sufficient to prompt evacuations—especially for vulnerable groups like campers asleep in remote areas. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly defended local officials, stating, “We had no reason to believe this was going to be anything like what’s happened here. None whatsoever”.

The flooding has devastated communities from San Angelo to Kerrville. Entire homes were swept away, and infrastructure was crippled. Over 300 people have been rescued, many by helicopter, but the full toll remains unclear.

As the waters recede, attention is turning to how such a tragedy could unfold with so little time to react. A full review of the warning systems and emergency response is expected in the coming weeks.

Photo Credit:

Flooding in Port Arthur from Hurricane Harvey 2017. 

By SC National Guard - 170831-Z-AH923-081, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62096178

Read more: 

24 dead in Texas floods: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/officials-confirm-deaths-after-flash-floods-central-texas-2025-07-04/

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