Kerrville Flooding Turns Deadly as Guadalupe River Swells Beyond Limits
A relentless downpour unleashed a nightmare in Kerrville, TX, as the Guadalupe River flooding surged over 20 feet within hours, sweeping through homes, roads, and camps. At least 24 lives are lost, over two dozen remain missing, and a peaceful summer turned into panic, especially at Camp Mystic. With rescue missions racing time, disaster zones growing, and haunting echoes of past Texas floods returning, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder of nature’s wrath. The floodwaters may recede, but the fear and search still flood the region.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Flash flooding in Kerrville, TX causes 24 deaths, 25+ missing

• Guadalupe River flooding rose 20+ feet, peaking at 29 feet

• Camp Mystic girls’ summer camp among affected areas

• Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration for 15 counties

• Over 230 rescued, including 167 by airlift

• Flood surpasses deadly 1987 Comfort incident

• National Guard and search teams active on land and air

• Continued flash flood threat through Saturday night

Central Texas is reeling from a devastating natural disaster as flash flooding in and around Kerrville, TX has left at least 24 people dead and more than two dozen others missing. Torrents of rain early Friday morning pushed the Guadalupe River well beyond its banks, leading to what officials have called one of the deadliest flooding events in recent memory.

The waters of the Guadalupe surged more than 20 feet in a matter of hours, engulfing homes, campsites, and entire communities across Kerr County. The scale and speed of the disaster have left many stunned, including longtime residents who say they’ve never seen anything like it.

“This was not your ordinary storm,” said a local emergency responder. “It dumped months’ worth of rain in under two hours.” The result, authorities say, was a massive “flood wave” that swept across Kerrville and nearby towns, triggering chaos, fear, and widespread destruction.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, speaking during a somber Friday night press conference, confirmed the grim toll. “We’re at about 24 fatalities,” he said. “We’re not going to be giving out any names at this time. We’re still notifying next of kin.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott stood beside him as they addressed the press, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation. According to the governor, rescue operations had saved more than 230 individuals, with 167 of those being airlifted from submerged or isolated areas.

“We remain in a search-and-rescue posture right now,” Abbott explained. “They will be nonstop, seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for.”

The flooding hit so rapidly that entire communities were caught off guard. One of the most alarming reports involves Camp Mystic, a private summer camp for girls located near the river. Local authorities say as many as 25 campers from the camp remain unaccounted for. These children had reportedly been staying in low-lying cabins when the water began to rise.

Communication has been a significant barrier, as electronic devices are not permitted at Camp Mystic.

“Technology is actually not allowed there,” said Tracy Walder, a national security expert whose daughter has friends attending the camp. “That’s why communication and information is kind of a bit difficult to come by.”

Adding to the concern, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick revealed that the camp, which typically hosts more than 750 girls, has been completely cut off.

“There’s no water, no power, no Wi-Fi at Camp Mystic,” said Patrick. “Right now, there are 20-some that are unaccounted for. That does not mean they’ve been lost. They could be in a tree, they could be out of communication.”

Patrick added, “We’re praying for all of those missing to be found alive. We’re doing everything we can to get in there. We have the game wardens walking in on foot, driving and dropping into water. We’re doing whatever we can do to find everyone.”

The flooding in Kerrville and surrounding areas surpassed even the infamously deadly 1987 flood that claimed the lives of 10 teenagers near Comfort. Friday’s surge was so powerful that the Guadalupe River reached a staggering 29 feet in western Kerr County — the second-highest level ever recorded in the region.

The National Weather Service quickly issued warnings, classifying the event as “life-threatening.” Officials stressed that even small amounts of rising water can be lethal. According to the weather service, just six inches of fast-moving water can make it difficult to control a vehicle, while 18 inches can carry it away entirely.

Mandatory evacuations were issued Friday morning for riverside neighborhoods in Kerrville, TX and the town of Comfort. Emergency crews deployed boats, high-water vehicles, and helicopters in an effort to reach those trapped by the surging water.

Texas has activated the National Guard and Department of Public Safety to aid in both rescue and recovery missions. Ground teams are working around the clock in flood-damaged zones, braving hazardous conditions in hopes of finding survivors.

As skies remained overcast late Friday and into Saturday, meteorologists warned that the threat was far from over. According to AccuWeather experts, the risk of flash flooding would continue through Saturday night, especially in areas north and west of Austin.

President Donald Trump, according to Lt. Governor Patrick, has reached out to Texas leadership to offer federal support and assistance in response to the flooding disaster.

For the residents of Kerrville, TX, and the surrounding Hill Country, the days ahead are expected to be filled with sorrow, uncertainty, and difficult recovery efforts. But for now, the focus remains on one mission: locating the missing and preventing further loss.

As Kerrville, TX grapples with the aftermath of the Guadalupe River flooding, the community remains suspended between grief and hope. With 24 confirmed fatalities and the desperate search for missing campers from Camp Mystic still ongoing, the tragedy has shaken the heart of Texas. Emergency teams continue to brave the waters, while families wait for answers. This catastrophic flood stands not only as a stark reminder of nature’s sudden wrath but also as a test of resilience, unity, and the urgent need for preparedness in a region long haunted by water’s fury.

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