The tragic flash flooding in Central Texas over the July Fourth weekend of 2025 struck with devastating speed and ferocity, leaving destruction in its wake and forever changing the lives of those in its path. The flood, which occurred on the Guadalupe River, caught many by surprise, including the hundreds of children attending summer camps in the area. The victims included young campers, counselors, and others in the region who had gathered for holiday festivities, with the floodwaters rising faster than anyone could have anticipated.
At Camp Mystic, a popular girls’ summer camp, about 750 girls had gathered to spend their summer. The evening before the storm, they were settling into their cabins, excited for a fun holiday weekend. But as night fell and the river began to swell, the scene turned into one of chaos and fear. A similar scenario unfolded just a few miles away at Camp La Junta, where boys were staying. The camps, nestled in the picturesque Guadalupe River Valley, were long known for their role in the local community, fostering many children’s summer memories and adventures. But, as with many of the valley’s camps and properties along the river, the area was prone to flash floods.
The tragedy started on the morning of Friday, July 5. Torrential rain had begun falling the day before, but by Friday morning, the river had risen rapidly, reaching dangerous levels. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for Kerr County earlier in the day, warning residents and campers of the rising danger. However, few could have anticipated the intensity of what would unfold. By 4 a.m., campers at Camp La Junta were awoken by the sounds of chaos as floodwaters rushed through the camp. Ruffin Boyett, one of the first to wake, described the terrifying scene, telling a local news station that the flooding came on suddenly, overwhelming the area. “There was a lot of water,” he recalled, as screams and panic filled the air.
By the time the floodwaters hit, the Guadalupe River had surged by more than 20 feet in less than two hours. The rapid rise in water levels left campers, counselors, and staff with little time to react. The floodwaters moved in with little warning, submerging parts of the camp and leading to frantic rescue efforts.
At Camp Mystic, the situation was no less dire. Campers like 9-year-old Janie Hunt, 8-year-old Renee Smajstrla, and others like Braeden and Brock Davis found themselves trapped as the water rose around them. The girls and boys, some as young as seven, faced a terrifying ordeal as the river flooded their cabins and tents. Some campers were forced to scramble to higher ground, while others sought refuge in nearby buildings, praying for safety. Tragically, despite rescue efforts, many campers and counselors remained missing, and at least 95 people were confirmed dead by the end of the weekend, with many of those lost being children.
The campgrounds, once a peaceful retreat, were now scenes of devastation and heartbreak. The 1987 flash flood that had also ravaged the area, taking the lives of 10 teenagers, was still fresh in the minds of the locals. However, this flood surpassed the 1987 tragedy in both scale and loss. As rescue teams scrambled to search for survivors, it became clear that the devastation would leave a permanent mark on the community.
In the aftermath, charities and organizations quickly mobilized to provide relief, bringing food, water, and medical supplies to affected families and survivors. Search and rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate the missing, while volunteers arrived to help those displaced by the flood. The community rallied, but the loss was deeply felt by all who lived in the area.
For the families of the victims, the pain is unimaginable. Parents who had sent their children off to summer camp, full of excitement and hope for their children’s future, are now faced with the heart-wrenching reality of never seeing their kids again. The survivors, too, are left with scars—physical and emotional—that may never heal. The loss of young lives, many of whom had their futures ahead of them, has left the community reeling.
As of now, the search for the missing continues, and the outpouring of support from across the state and beyond is overwhelming. Donations are pouring in, and people across the nation are stepping up to help those who have been devastated by this catastrophic event. For those left behind, the road to healing will be long and difficult, but the memory of those lost will live on in the hearts of the survivors and the community they called home.
The 2025 Texas floods, with their unimaginable toll on life and property, will be remembered as one of the deadliest flash floods in U.S. history. In the coming months and years, the community will rebuild, but the tragedy will never be forgotten. The survivors will carry the memories of that fateful day, and for the families of the missing and the lost, the healing process has only just begun.