Search and rescue efforts in central Texas entered their fifth day as emergency crews continue to respond to catastrophic flash floods that have claimed at least 107 lives and left several individuals missing, including children and a counselor from a historic summer camp.
Heavy rainfall over the July 4 weekend caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 26 feet in less than an hour, inundating homes, vehicles, and youth camps across central Texas. The hardest-hit area is Kerr County, where 87 of the 107 confirmed deaths occurred, according to local authorities.
Camp Mystic Tragedy: Children Among the Dead
Among the most devastating scenes unfolded at Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls camp in Kerr County. Officials have confirmed that at least 27 children and counselors died there, and six individuals — five campers and one counselor — remain missing. The emotional toll has shaken parents nationwide, as images of destroyed cabins, mud-covered bunks, and scattered belongings have emerged from the site.
Counselors at the camp, some of whom were staying on higher ground, recounted the chaos as they prepared to evacuate. In interviews with media outlets, counselors Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate described writing campers’ names on their skin in case of disaster, singing songs to comfort frightened children, and witnessing furniture and clothing being swept away.
Among the victims are 8-year-old camper Sarah Marsh, 14-year-old twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, and 19-year-old counselor Chloe Childress. The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, was also confirmed dead. The family of Katherine Ferruzzo, a missing counselor, has asked the public for prayers and expressed faith in her bravery during the flood.
“There were over 700 girls at Camp Mystic when the water rose. It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said, pledging to continue the search for the missing.
Drones: Help and Hazard in Rescue Efforts
Authorities have relied on drones to assist with search and rescue, including high-resolution aerial surveillance provided by the Texas Air National Guard. However, officials in Kerr County reported that a privately operated drone collided with a rescue helicopter on July 8, forcing an emergency landing.
“This was entirely preventable,” said a statement from the city of Kerrville. “Unauthorized drones in restricted airspace put rescue operations and lives at serious risk.” No injuries were reported, but the helicopter remains out of service.
Where the Deaths Occurred
- Kerr County: 87 deaths
- Travis County: 7
- Kendall County: 6
- Burnet County: 4
- Williamson County: 2
- Tom Green County: 1
Trump to Visit Texas
President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Texas on Friday, July 11, to survey the damage and meet with state and local officials. “Texas was just so badly hurt by something that was a big surprise,” Trump said during a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We’ll be working with the governor and all of the people of Texas.”
Weather Outlook
The National Weather Service warned of continued flood risks through Tuesday, as isolated storms could drop an additional 2–3 inches of rain on saturated ground in the Hill Country region. However, drier conditions are forecast beginning Wednesday, offering some relief to the ravaged region.
A National Spotlight on Camp Safety
The tragedy at Camp Mystic has renewed focus on the safety of summer camps across the United States. With more than 26 million children attending camps each year, experts are calling for stronger regulations and site planning, especially for camps located near rivers or lakes.
“Even though it’s a beautiful location, placing cabins near flood-prone areas may be too risky,” said Dr. Natalie Simpson, a disaster response expert at the University at Buffalo. Lawsuits in recent years have highlighted the dangers of insufficient emergency planning, with drownings and accidents continuing to pose a threat at camps nationwide.
As the search continues and Texas mourns its losses, both families and public officials are calling for accountability, improved safety standards, and support for those affected by this unprecedented disaster.
