Catastrophic Floods Leave Camp Mystic Reeling: 41 People Remain Missing, 82 People Confirmed Dead in Kerr County

KERRVILLE, Texas - A beloved Christian summer camp for girls, Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, has been devastated by catastrophic flash flooding that struck early Friday, July 4, 2025. The floods, triggered by nearly a foot of rain in a few hours, have claimed dozens of lives, left infrastructure in ruins, and plunged families into grief as the search continues for missing campers. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of several young girls, with others still unaccounted for, casting a shadow over the Texas Hill Country.

The Kerr County sheriff says 82 people are confirmed deceased, including 21 children. 11 Camp Mystic campers and a counselor are still missing. 41 people in total remain missing.

### A Sudden and Deadly Deluge

The Guadalupe River, typically a scenic backdrop for Camp Mystic's summer activities, became a deadly force when it surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, submerging flood gauges and overwhelming the camp and surrounding areas. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch on July 3, forecasting up to seven inches of rain, but some areas received as much as 12 inches, far exceeding expectations. The rapid rise of floodwaters caught residents, campers, and officials off guard, with Kerr County lacking a formal warning system to alert the community in time.[](

Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old institution hosting around 750 campers, was inundated in the predawn hours. The floodwaters tore through cabins, swept away structures, and left debris scattered along the riverbanks. Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the scene as "horrendously ravaged," noting it was unlike any natural disaster he had witnessed.

### Tragic Losses and Ongoing Search Efforts

Chloe Childress was a camp counselor at Mystic. Chloe was co-president of the Honor Council, a varsity cross-country runner, and the founder of a service club dedicated to helping senior citizens. She was supposed to attend University of Texas at Austin this fall. She lost her life in the flood.

As of Sunday, July 6, 2025, the death toll in Kerr County stands at 59, including 21 children, with additional fatalities reported in nearby counties. Among the confirmed victims are young girls from Camp Mystic, including 9-year-old Lila Bonner of Dallas, whose family shared their "unimaginable grief" in a statement to PEOPLE. Other identified victims include Renee Smajstrla, Sarah Marsh, and Janie Hunt, all young campers whose lives were cut short by the floodwaters.[](https://www.businessinsider.com/dead-missing-texas-flood-kerr-county-camp-mystic-2025-7)[](https://people.com/mystic-camp-camper-lila-bonner-found-dead-following-texas-floods-11767067)[](https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/texas-guadalupe-river-four-missing-summer-camp-mystic-girls-dead-who-are-they-janie-hunt-lila-bonner-sarah-marsh-article-152229636)

At least 11 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for, though earlier reports cited as many as 27 missing campers. Search-and-rescue operations, involving over 400 first responders from more than 20 agencies, continue tirelessly. Hundreds of rescuers, supported by helicopters and boats, are scouring the Guadalupe River's banks and surrounding areas for survivors, with efforts complicated by ongoing severe weather and the threat of more rain. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha vowed, "We will not stop until every single person is found."

### Community in Anguish

The tragedy has left families and the Kerrville community reeling. Camp Mystic, a cherished retreat known for fostering lifelong memories, has become a focal point of heartbreak. The camp's leadership informed parents that those whose daughters are unaccounted for have been directly contacted, stating, "If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for." However, communication outages caused by the storm have added to the uncertainty, leaving some families anxiously awaiting updates.

Social media has played a critical role in sharing information, with parents and community members posting flyers and pleas for help in locating missing loved ones. Local Facebook groups have become hubs for sharing updates and offering support, with one resident, Mary Stone, expressing shock at the destruction along the riverbank where she regularly walks. A reunification center has been established in Kerrville for families seeking information about loved ones, separate from those connected to Camp Mystic.

### Questions of Preparedness

As rescue efforts continue, questions are mounting about emergency preparedness. The rapid onset of the flooding left little time for evacuation, and Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly noted that the county lacks a formal warning system. AccuWeather and the National Weather Service had issued flash flood warnings hours before the deluge, but some, including San Antonio lawyer Serena Hanor Aldrich, whose two daughters were rescued, criticized Camp Mystic's leadership for not acting on available weather alerts from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The region, known as "flash flood alley," is no stranger to such disasters. A similar tragedy struck in 1987 when floodwaters engulfed a bus of teenage campers from another Christian camp along the Guadalupe River. The recurring threat underscores the challenges of managing extreme weather in this flood-prone area, where water rushes down hills rather than soaking into the soil.

### A Region in Crisis

Katherine Ferruzzo, a counselor at Texas' Camp Mystic, is still unaccounted for after flash flooding in Central Texas.

The flooding's impact extends beyond Camp Mystic. Across Kerr County, homes, vehicles, and infrastructure have been washed away, with at least 850 people evacuated. Governor Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 15 counties, and President Trump signed a major disaster declaration to coordinate federal support with state and local efforts. The Lower Colorado River Authority has launched flood operations at its dams to manage water flow through Austin, where additional deaths have been reported.[](https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/24-dead-25-missing-at-camp-mystic-after-texas-flooding/1791415)[](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/05/texas-floods-camp-mystic-update)[](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/05/texas-floods-camp-mystic-update)

As the Hill Country braces for potential further rainfall, the focus remains on recovery and support for affected families. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is collecting donations to aid those who have lost homes or loved ones. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller and Bishop Michael Boulette are in Kerrville to provide spiritual support to grieving families.[](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/122275083.cms)[](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/04/us/texas-floods-guadalupe-river)

### A Call for Hope and Resilience

The tragedy at Camp Mystic has shaken the Texas Hill Country, but the community's response reflects resilience and solidarity. "So many people have been swept up into an extraordinary catastrophe," Governor Abbott said, calling for prayers for the residents of Kerr County. As search efforts persist and families mourn, the region holds onto hope that those still missing will be found.[](https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/texas-flooding-updates-13-dead-20-campers-missing?entryId=123500557&id=123488468)

For those seeking information on loved ones, the Kerrville Police Department and the Red Cross have urged the public to contact the reunification center. The road to recovery will be long, but the spirit of Camp Mystic and the Texas Hill Country endures amid this unimaginable loss.