Central Texas experienced catastrophic flash flooding in early July 2025, primarily along the Guadalupe River, resulting in at least 24 deaths and dozens more missing, including children from a summer camp[1][2][3][4]. The disaster unfolded after an extraordinary deluge: some areas, especially around Kerr County, received 10 to 15 inches of rain in just four hours—the equivalent of four months’ rainfall for the region[5][2]. Rainfall rates peaked at 6 inches per hour, overwhelming river systems and infrastructure[1][2].
Key details:
- Rapid River Rise: The Guadalupe River surged by 20 feet in one hour at Kerrville and nearly 27 feet in 45 minutes at Comfort, reaching historic levels not seen in nearly a century[2][6].
- Widespread Impact: The flooding affected multiple counties in the Texas Hill Country, with flash flood emergencies declared in at least five counties[6].
- Rescues and Missing Persons: Nearly 300 people were rescued, many by helicopter, but the exact number needing help remains unknown. Among those missing are more than 20 girls from Camp Mystic, a summer camp near Hunt, Texas[1][2][6][3].
- Forecast Challenges: Officials noted that weather forecasts significantly underestimated the rainfall, predicting 3–8 inches when actual totals far exceeded this, leaving little time for residents to prepare[1][2].
- Disaster Response: Over 1,000 state responders and 800 vehicles were deployed, with ongoing search and rescue operations involving helicopters, rescue swimmers, and tactical vehicles[2][6].
- Historical Context: This event is being compared to the devastating Hill Country floods of 1987, but river crests this year have exceeded those historic levels[2][6].
The flooding was triggered by slow-moving thunderstorms that stalled over the region, dumping intense rainfall on steep terrain, which rapidly funneled water into riverbeds and low-lying areas, creating dangerous torrents with little warning[7][2]. The disaster underscores the challenges of predicting and responding to extreme weather in a changing climate.
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- https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/texas-flooding-updates-13-dead-20-campers-unaccounted/?id=123488468
- https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/catastrophic-flooding-kerrville-hunt-guadalupe-river-texas
- https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/texas-flooding-07-05-2025-hnk
- https://www.npr.org/2025/07/05/nx-s1-5457278/texas-hill-country-flooding
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/07/04/texas-flooding-extreme-rains/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-hill-country-severe-floods/
- https://www.reading.ac.uk/news/2025/Expert-Comment/Texas-floods---Expert-comment
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