At least 108 people are confirmed to have died following torrential rains that triggered catastrophic flash flooding over the July Fourth weekend here in Central Texas.
The Tragedy Unfolds
The disaster began early Friday morning when heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than 26 feet above normal levels. The swift-moving floodwaters devastated communities across the region, washing homes off their foundations and turning peaceful waterways into deadly torrents.
Among the hardest-hit areas was Kerr County, where 87 people have been confirmed dead.
Camp Mystic Bears Heavy Toll
The tragedy struck particularly hard at Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian summer camp for girls located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp, which had approximately 750 children in attendance, lost 27 campers and counselors to the flooding, including camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland.
As of this morning, ten campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The camp has been a summertime tradition for generations of Texas girls, making the loss even more devastating for communities across the state.
Families have been gathering at the camp site, sifting through waterlogged debris and stepping inside empty cabins as they search for any trace of their loved ones. The camp’s Facebook page has become a gathering place for grief and remembrance, with families sharing memories of the young lives lost. The Tri-County News page on Facebook is also profiling the victims.
Search and Rescue Efforts Continue
Hundreds of local volunteers have joined professional search and rescue teams in the ongoing effort to locate missing persons. The search has been complicated by the vast amount of debris scattered across the region, with vehicles, equipment, and personal belongings strewn throughout parks and waterways.
Weather conditions have posed additional challenges, with lingering storms impacting the region through Monday evening. However, forecasters expect conditions to improve significantly by Tuesday, potentially aiding search efforts.
Texas Department of Safety
A helicopter involved in emergency operations was forced to land in Kerrville after a private drone struck it Monday afternoon.
Kerrville authorities say sightseers are getting in the way of flood search efforts. (San Antonio Current)
Community Impact
The flooding has left entire communities in shock. Among the victims identified are teachers, camp counselors, and children whose families are now grappling with unimaginable loss. The disaster has prompted an outpouring of support from across Texas and beyond, with numerous relief organizations mobilizing to provide assistance.
Senator Ted Cruz described the situation as “every parent’s nightmare,” while state lawmakers have launched bipartisan efforts to provide flood relief.
Cruz has taken some criticism for not immediately returning home to Texas while on vacation in Greece as the tragedy unfolded. (Austin American-Statesman)
President Donald Trump said he has plans to visit areas of Texas hit hardest by the flood, “probably on Friday.” (Austin American-Statesman)
In Travis, Williamson and Burnet counties, where a total of 13 people have been confirmed dead with others still missing, residents are assessing the damage and beginning the cleanup process…all while authorities say it is an ongoing “active search” for more victims.
Another victim was discovered Monday in Williamson County.
At the Shady River RV Resort Park east of Georgetown, the cleanup has begun. (Austin American-Statesman)
Two people are still missing in Burnet County. Four others are confirmed to have died.
Locally, here in Austin, the Austin Firefighters Association took to social media Monday to express frustration with AFD Chief Joel G. Baker’s decision not to send local first responders to Kerr County to assist with the rescue and recovery effort, saying his decision may have cost lives…all in the name of saving money…and accused Baker of “dereliction of duty”.
Later in the day Monday, the AFA’s X feed answered questions and responded to comments:
In an interview Monday night, Chief Baker refuted the claims, saying he was first made aware of requests from the state on July 4 and AFD deployed three rescue swimmers to the disaster area.
“It’s important that we are able to function and maintain a certain level of readiness in the city of Austin. Now, to keep in mind — again — I was not sure how much of the weather would impact my city — the city of Austin. I need to make sure that I have an adequate amount of resources within the city so I can respond for my mutual aid calls and my automatic aid calls around the city of Austin.” — AFD Chief Joel G. Baker
The Austin Firefighters Association has announced it will begin a vote of no confidence against Chief Baker today. Union President Bob Nicks will hold a press conference this morning at 11 a.m. to discuss the removal of the fire chief from his position.
Federal Response and Ongoing Concerns
The disaster has also raised questions about federal disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The timing coincides with discussions about government spending and the role of agencies like FEMA and the National Weather Service in disaster response.
Texas’ lieutenant governor announced the state will front the bill for sirens to be installed in the area.
During an interview with Fox News Monday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he and Gov. Greg Abbott agreed that the state should erect sirens along the Guadalupe River.
The Central Texas flooding represents a stark reminder of the destructive power of flash floods, which rank as one of the deadliest weather phenomena in the United States.
While the storms’ full environmental impacts may take weeks to assess, Austin-area officials warn they could be serious as recent heavy rain has saturated the Central Texas region, pushing contamination and debris through creeks and waterways. (KUT 90.5)
Austin firefighters responded to a house fire overnight in southwest Austin.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a fatal assault that occurred in the Kerbey Lane parking lot in south Austin last week/
Austin police are looking for a suspect who assaulted a CapMetro passenger last month.
New information on a fatal car accident Saturday night in the ATX.
Also some new information on a fatal hit-and-run incident that happened Friday morning on I-35.
Nvidia, the largest company in the world, appears to be close to announcing a big lease at the One Uptown office building in North Austin. (Austin Business Journal)
It looks like a new mixed-use project is planned for the site of the site of Waterloo Records on North Lamar and 6th Street in Austin. The iconic music store is planning a move further up the road. (Austin Business Journal)
Austin public health officials have issued a notice to the public urging residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes during increased rainfall and moisture that could lead to heightened risk of diseases. (Community Impact)
Barton Springs Pool reopened Monday following heavy rain and flooding over the weekend.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Flash flooding will remain a localized threat in central Texas through midweek, even as storms carry slightly less moisture than on Independence Day. (AccuWeather)
Big Bend National Park, one of the largest national parks in the U.S., is currently operating with only half of its required staff. This significant shortage is part of a broader decline in staffing across the National Park Service. This year alone, the park has lost crucial personnel, including its superintendent, who retired in May, and its chief of interpretation, a vital position that remains unfilled. (Chron)
A Texas pediatrician was fired over the weekend after posting about the victims of historic and deadly Texas floods that have killed more than 100 people, according to a statement by Blue Fish Pediatrics.
Screenshots of the purported comments are circulating that show an account with the name “Chris Tina” that states, “May all visitors, children, non-MAGA voters and pets be safe and dry. [pray emoji] Kerr County MAGA voted to gut FEMA. They deny climate change. May they get what they voted for. Bless their hearts.” (My San Antonio)
A Houston pediatrician and a former city official were condemned for their vitriolic social media comments on the Texas flooding, causing the doctor to lose her job and Houston’s mayor saying he won’t reappoint the official. (Associated Press via MSN)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warns flood victims to be cautious of out-of-state contractors who may take payment without completing work and advises to verify the legitimacy of charitable donations to avoid scams in the aftermath of deadly floods.
Federal authorities say a group of people carried out an ambush attack on law enforcement at an immigration detention facility in North Texas. Over the weekend a police officer was shot in the neck outside the prairieland detention center in Alvarado.
A 44-year-old San Antonio man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Richard Rindeikis was sentenced on July 2 after pleading guilty to the charge. (My Texas Daily)
The Texas Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, conducted a joint human trafficking investigation involving three massage parlors in Randall County yesterday. Two individuals were arrested and charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution. (My Texas Daily)
(Episode from July 7, 2025)
Tarrant County has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this season.
SPORTS
The Houston Astros, Houston Texans, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs and UTSA all opened their wallets to help victims of the deadly Texas floods.
MLS: The Verde & Black travel to the West Coast for a U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal clash with San Jose Earthquakes. The match will kick off at 9:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. PT at PayPal Park. (Austin FC)
MLB: Neither the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers could muster a victory.
ON THE SCHEDULE
AL WEST STANDINGS
The long road to legalize sports betting in Texas has reached a critical point with the recent filing of the sports betting amendment bill, HJR 134. (Deadspin)
Lake Conroe in Montgomery County has its own ice cream boat! How cool is that?
