On the 4th (local time), debris such as cars and trees remained along the Ingram riverbank after a flood occurred in the Guadalupe River, Texas, USA. AP photo news.
The number of deaths due to heavy rain and flooding in the Guadalupe River area of Texas has risen to 51. Over 20 children and adolescents participating in a summer camp at a riverside retreat center are missing.
According to AP News on the 5th (local time), at least 43 people, including 15 children, died due to the flood in Kerr County, Texas, and at least 8 people died in nearby areas.
The heavy rain from the previous day caused the Guadalupe River to overflow, resulting in severe damage to Kerr, Travis, Burnet, and Williamson counties. This area, known for youth retreats and camps, was crowded with people celebrating the July 4th U.S. Independence Day. Local media reported that cars were overturned and buildings damaged in the affected areas, with trees and metal debris mixed in the mud.
On the 5th (local time), in Hunt, Texas, the Mystic Camp lodging was swept away by the flood. AFP photo news.
NBC reported that 27 girls went missing at the ‘Camp Mystic’ retreat center along the river in Kerr County. A Christian organization was holding a summer camp for girls aged 7 to 17. It is known that 750 children and adolescents were staying there at the time.
Erin Burgess, a resident of Kerr County, told AP News that she woke up to the sound of thunder, and 20 minutes later, water started entering her home. She managed to get out and cling to a tree with her son for an hour before they were finally rescued.
Authorities dispatched helicopters, rescue boats, and drones for search and rescue operations, reporting that about 850 people had been rescued from the affected areas by that day. However, they expressed concern that the death toll could rise as a flood warning was forecasted until 7 PM on the 5th.
Experts cited the influence of tropical storm Barry, which brought more rain than forecasted, and the rapid rise of the river’s water level during the early morning hours as reasons for the large flood damage. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) had forecast up to 7 inches of rain in Kerr County. However, the area saw up to 12 inches of rain, and the Guadalupe River’s level rose approximately 8 meters in just 45 minutes from 5:15 AM the previous day.
The regional paper Texas Tribune pointed out that the dismissal of several hundred weather forecasters by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) might have caused issues in the forecasting system. In February, DOGE fired about 370 NWS trainee staff. The NWS union noted that the San Angelo office in Texas currently has 4 out of 23 positions vacant, and the San Antonio office has 6 out of 26 positions vacant.
However, the NWS explained that the regional office responsible was operating normally at the time of the disaster.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that “Federal authorities are cooperating with state and local authorities,” adding, “Brave rescue workers are doing their best on site. May God’s blessings be with the affected families and with Texas.”