A devastating flash flood in central Texas has claimed at least 104 lives, following a torrential overnight storm on July 4 that caused the Guadalupe River to rise over 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The disaster has prompted an extensive search-and-rescue effort as authorities and volunteers continue to locate the missing and provide aid to survivors across the region.
Among the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls situated along the riverbank. Twenty-seven campers and counselors have been confirmed dead, with 11 more still unaccounted for. Survivors described scenes of chaos and destruction, as floodwaters tore through lower-lying cabins. Thirteen-year-old Stella Thompson, a long-time camper, recalled the terrifying night and the destruction left in the flood’s wake, including kayaks lodged in treetops and scattered debris.
One heartbreaking story emerged from Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old college student visiting Hunt, Texas. As floodwaters engulfed the house she was staying in, she sent her parents a final text message before her phone went silent. Her body was recovered days later. Her mother, Kellye, expressed both sorrow and gratitude, praying for the recovery of her daughter’s three missing friends.
Kerr County, where Camp Mystic is located, has suffered the greatest loss with 84 deaths. Other counties affected include Travis, Kendall, Burnet, Williamson, and Tom Green. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency across the hardest-hit areas, as rescue operations remain ongoing.
As families mourn, communities across Texas are holding vigils and organizing relief efforts. The tragedy has drawn national attention, uniting people in grief, remembrance, and support for those affected.
