The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods in Central Texas has reached at least 67 people, including 21 children, as of Sunday, July 6, 2025, with 11 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic still missing
📍 Situation Overview:
- The floods, triggered by as much as 15 inches of rain over July 4–5, caused the Guadalupe River to surge up to 29 feet, devastating campgrounds and communities north-west of San Antonio
- Kerr County is hardest hit, with 59 fatalities (21 of them children), while additional deaths have been reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, and Tom Green counties
- Over 850 people were rescued using helicopters, boats, and drones since the weekend
🔍 Missing Campers:
- 11 girls and one camp counselor from Camp Mystic, a century‑old Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River, remain missing
- Initial reports noted up to 27 girls unaccounted for; the number has since decreased to 11, thanks to ongoing recovery efforts
🌧 Weather & Flood Warnings:
- Flash flood watches remain in effect for Kerr County and surrounding areas. Additional rain is forecasted, raising concerns about renewed flooding
- The National Weather Service has been scrutinized for underestimating the flood’s severity; pressure is building to improve forecasting accuracy
🏛 Emergency Response:
- FEMA has been activated; President Trump has issued a major disaster declaration for Kerr County
- The U.S. Coast Guard, state agencies, and local responders are engaged in a large-scale, multi-agency rescue operation
- Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide day of prayer; Pope Leo XIV also offered prayers for the victims
What to Watch Next:
- Updates on the efforts to locate the remaining 11 missing campers.
- Potential increase in the death toll as waters recede and rains continue.
- Investigations into why the forecasts failed to anticipate such intense rainfall.
