By Amanda Castro and Hannah Parry
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At least 104 people are dead, and dozens more are still missing in the historic Texas flooding. Camp Mystic has confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors died when the Guadalupe River surged more than 20 feet in under two hours early on July 4. The all-girls summer camp in Kerr County was among the hardest-hit areas, with search teams still looking for missing children. On Monday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz told reporters that "in hindsight," he would have evacuated the flood zones. "If we could go back and do it again, we would evacuate," he added.
What to Know:
- Camp Mystic confirmed 27 deaths; 11 girls and one counselor remain missing.
- The camp said in its statement: "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly."
- The Guadalupe River rose over 20 feet in less than two hours during the July 4 flood.
- The NWS has issued a new flood watch warning through 7 p.m. Monday for the Hill Country and I-35 corridor.
- Flash flooding remains a significant threat due to saturated ground and swollen rivers.
- Search and rescue operations continue across Kerr County and surrounding areas.
- See the Texas Flood Map here.
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Jul 07, 2025 at 08:04 PM EDT
‘Fearful and aching’ dog is rescued after getting hurtled by Texas floods
A dog named Superman was found frightened and alone atop a pile of debris after catastrophic flash floods tore through Central Texas late last week.
Animal rescue Austin Pets Alive! described Superman as "fearful and aching after being swept away from his home." The dog was discovered after "his person" died in the floods.
Kerrville Pets Alive! performed a medical evaluation on Superman before placing him in the care of a local foster volunteer.
Suzie Chase, community affairs officer for Austin Pets Alive!, told Newsweek that she received "word that 50 cats and kittens are coming into our shelter from another Texas animal shelter that had to evacuate due to flooding."
Read in full from Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.
Jul 07, 2025 at 08:00 PM EDT
Ted Cruz cut Greek vacation short to return to Texas amid floods
Sen. Ted Cruz cut his family vacation in Greece short after speaking with President Donald Trump and several Texan officials during the first hours of the deadly floods.
"The Senator was already in the middle of preplanned family vacation travel overseas when the flooding occurred on July 4," Cruz's office said in a statement, reported by NBC News.
The senator booked a flight back to Texas shortly after speaking to Trump and, with the time difference, was back in his home state by Sunday night, and in Kerrville by Monday.
Jul 07, 2025 at 07:35 PM EDT
Mom describes how heroic camp counselors saved her sons from floods
A mom has described how "heroic" camp counselors saved her sons from the deadly floods.
Keli Rabon told CNN her sons, Braeden and Brock, were at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas, when the Guadalupe River broke its banks and began flooding.
"Once the water came into his cabin, they moved the boys from their lower bunks, to then the upper bunk and then ultimately hoisted them up into the rafters," she said.
"It's pretty heroic of those counselors and quick thinking. Meanwhile, the cabin kind of started to deteriorate around them," Rabon said.
Rabon said she had received texts from the camp to inform her what was happening during the evacuation, but she has now been reunited with her sons, one of whom has just finished kindergarten.
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Jul 07, 2025 at 07:25 PM EDT
King Charles offers ‘deepest sympathies’ in letter to Trump over floods
King Charles wrote a letter to President Donald Trump to express his "deepest sympathies" in the wake of the devasting Texas floods which have claimed more than 100 lives.
"Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life," the British Embassy in Washington said.
He offered his deepest sympathies to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to the "courage and selflessness of the emergency service and volunteers."
Jul 07, 2025 at 07:07 PM EDT
Camp counselor, 19, still missing, says family
The family of Katherine Ferruzzo, a 19-year-old counselor at Camp Mystic, is still among the missing after the deadly Texas floods, her family said on Monday.
"Katherine has a fierce and loving spirit, and we have no doubt she did all she could to save the lives of the girls in her cabin," the family said.
At least 11 people are still unaccounted for in the floods, while 27 people including multiple children were killed.
Jul 07, 2025 at 06:45 PM EDT
Schumer investigation into staffing shortages at National Weather Service
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer wrote a letter to the acting inspector general of the Commerce Department on Monday calling for an investigation into staffing shortages at National Weather Service.
Schumer said he wants to know if the staff shortages "contributed to the catastrophic loss of life and property during the deadly flooding."
"The American people deserve answers," Schumer added in the letter.
Jul 07, 2025 at 06:42 PM EDT
WATCH: Donald Trump grilled about NWS cuts after deadly Texas floods
Jul 07, 2025 at 06:14 PM EDT
Ted Cruz’s office blasts report about his vacation during Texas flooding
Texas Senator Ted Cruz's communications director, Macarena Martinez, blasted The Daily Beast on Monday for its reporting that the senator was on vacation when his home state was hit with deadly flash flooding over the weekend.
The outlet reported on Monday that while rescue teams searched for survivors in floodwaters in Central Texas, Cruz remained in Greece and continued sightseeing.
In response, Martinez posted on X, formerly Twitter, "A bull**** piece published by a bull**** rag outlet with no credibility, and with no regard for the tragedy in Texas. The Senator is on the ground in Texas and arrived as fast as humanly possible. I explained all of this to their two-faced reporter."
In a statement to Newsweek, Cruz's office said he was "already in the middle of preplanned family vacation travel overseas when the flooding occurred on July 4."
Read in full from Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.
Jul 07, 2025 at 06:04 PM EDT
WATCH: Democrat Senator Padilla sams Trump’s threats to eliminate FEMA amid Texas flooding
Jul 07, 2025 at 06:01 PM EDT
Drone collides with rescue helicopter, forces emergency landing
The city of Kerrville, Texas, has grounded all drones after a private drone "illegally operating in restricted airspace" collided with a rescue helicopter forcing an emergency landing.
Thankfully the pilot able to make the landing but a critical piece of equipment was damaged during the collision, causing it to be temporarily grounded, the city said in a statement.
Jul 07, 2025 at 05:43 PM EDT
Sisters killed in Texas floods found with ‘hands locked together’
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Two sisters, 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke Harber, were killed in the Texas Hill Country floods and found with rosaries and their "hands locked together," their family said.
The Harber sisters died while on a family trip to Casa Bonita, a gated community in Hunt, Texas, their aunt Jennifer shared in a message posted to a GoFundMe page.
The two girls had been staying with their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber, both of whom are currently still missing.
Flood warnings have been activated by the National Weather Service across Texas, and many of these are expected to last until at least Monday morning. Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. after extreme heat, according to NWS data.
Read in full from Marni Rose McFall on Newsweek.
Jul 07, 2025 at 05:38 PM EDT
United Nations chief ‘deeply saddened’ by Texas floods deaths
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he was deeply saddened by the losses in the Texas floods, in what should have been a weekend of celebration.
"The secretary-general extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with all those impacted, the people of Texas and the government of the United States," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
Jul 07, 2025 at 05:15 PM EDT
Texas lawmaker says it’s not ‘helpful’ to have missing NWS staff during natural disasters
A National Weather Service (NWS) union director told CNN that the service office in San Antonio was missing a warning coordination meteorologist due to the Trump administration buyouts.
"I don't think it's helpful to have missing key personnel from the National Weather Service not in place to help prevent these tragedies," Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, told CNN.
Rep. Joaquin Castro on Texas floods: "I don't think it's helpful to have missing key personnel from the National Weather Service not in place to help prevent these tragedies."
Jul 07, 2025 at 05:07 PM EDT
Rep, Chip Roy says time will come to figure out how to improve weather alert systems
Republican Rep. Chip Roy said that a time will come to figure out how to improve weather alert systems.
"There will be a lot of time for figuring out what can be done better in terms of alert systems, but right now I am just so proud of the people in the community," he said on Fox News, Monday.
Jul 07, 2025 at 04:59 PM EDT
Father-of-two dies while trying to save family from floods
A father-of-two died while trying to save his family from the devastating Texas floods.
Julian Ryan, 27, was asleep in his trailer home with his mother Marilyn, fiancée Christinia and their children ages 6 and 13, when the floodwaters began to pouring in.
He attempted to smash a window to allow them to escape the rapidly rising water in the trailer, Christinia told the New York Times.
Tragically, as he did so, he deeply cut his arm, severing an artery.
Christinia said that she and Marilyn had tried calling 911 but during the chaos of the floods, no one came.
"I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all," Ryan told his family. They were his last words.
Eventually, the trailer broke in half in the powerful currents, allowing the family to escape.
Jul 07, 2025 at 03:59 PM EDT
Trump expected to visit flood-ravaged Texas on Friday
President Donald Trump is tentatively scheduled to visit Texas on Friday to survey the damage from catastrophic flooding that has killed at least 94 people, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Monday.
Leavitt said the trip is being coordinated with state and local officials to minimize disruptions to ongoing recovery efforts. "This was a once-in-a-generation national disaster," she said, urging residents to remain vigilant as search and rescue operations continue.
Trump's visit comes after he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, the hardest-hit area, and pledged full federal support. The president had previously criticized former President Joe Biden for delaying a visit to North Carolina after the floods last year, citing similar concerns about interfering with the emergency response.
Jul 07, 2025 at 03:48 PM EDT
Death toll rises to 94
The death toll from the devastating floods across central Texas has climbed to 94, with Kerr County alone accounting for 75 fatalities, including dozens of children.
The catastrophic flooding, triggered by torrential rains over the July 4 weekend, has overwhelmed rivers and swept through low-lying communities.
Jul 07, 2025 at 03:14 PM EDT
Camp Mystic nurse shares footage of her evacutation
A Camp Mystic nurse has shared footage of evacuation, alongside campers, after the devastating floods on Friday in Hunt, Texas.
At least 27 people were killed when the camp flooded, with multiple people still unaccounted for.
Devon Paige Williams, a second year nurse at the camp, was on the side of Camp Mystic that didn't flood.
In one video, a group of campers and staff could be heard singing together on the bus as they were driven past the floodwaters and piles of debris.
Williams added that the game warden, who had assisted with the evacuations, had been "amazing."
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:44 PM EDT
Georgia representative says his granddaughters were safe after attending Camp Mystic
Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter said that his grandchildren had also been at Camp Mystic over the summer.
"They are safe, and I thank you for your well-wishes and prayers during this time," Carter said.
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:42 PM EDT
Republican lawmaker says two of his daughters were safely evacuated from Mystic
Rep. August Pfluger said that two of his daughters were safely evacuated from Camp Mystic over the weekend.
Pfluger said his family had now been reunited with daughters Caroline and Juliana.
"The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors," the Texas Republican wrote Saturday.
Pfluger also paid tribute to Camp Mystic's co-owner, Dick Eastland, for giving his life trying to save the campers.
"For decades he and his wife Tweety poured his life into loving and developing girls and women of character. Thank you Mr. Eastland. We love you and miss you," he said.
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:36 PM EDT
WATCH: Cruz says agency cuts didn’t affect flood warnings in Texas flooding
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:24 PM EDT
Wife of Kansas City Chiefs says her cousin was killed in floods
The wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said that had lost a relative in the Texas floods.
Tavia Hunt said that "precious little Hunt cousin" has been killed in the floods, "along with several friend's little girls."
She added that "our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods... and the tragic loss of so many lives," in an Instagram story.
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:19 PM EDT
Twin sisters, 8, among Camp Mystic victims
Twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8, are among the 27 people killed in the flooding at Camp Mystic.
Their parents, John and Lacy Lawrence, of Dallas, said in a statement that they were "devastated" by the loss of their girls who "brought so much joy to us, to their big sister Harper, and to so many others.
"We will find ways to keep that joy, and to continue to spread it for them. But we are devastated that the bond we shared with them, and that they shared with each other, is now frozen in time. "
Hanna and Rebecca's grandfather David Lawrence, who was also the former publisher of the Miami Herald, said the joy the twins had given their family "could never be forgotten."
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:14 PM EDT
Trump set to tour flood-hit Texas this week
President Donald Trump is visiting Texas later this week to tour the areas devastated by flooding, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Leavitt said the visit would likely come on Friday but she would announce the date once it was set.
She also urged "everyone in the area to remain vigilant, listen to all warnings and respond accordingly."
Leavitt also went on the attack against Democrats who have been critical of the Trump administration for stripping funds away from the National Weather Service and FEMA, and warned it would lead to tragedy.
The press secretary said that blaming "Trump for these floods is a depraved lie."
She added that NWS "did its job" on flood warnings.
Jul 07, 2025 at 02:02 PM EDT
Texas death toll rises to 91, the White House confirms
At least 91 people have now died in the devastating flooding in Texas, White House Press Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.
Dozens more remain unaccounted for.
Jul 07, 2025 at 01:49 PM EDT
WATCH: Texas residents reeling after devastating floods: ‘Everything’s soaked’
Jul 07, 2025 at 01:26 PM EDT
Kerrville mayor said he received no warning before floods
The mayor of Kerrville, Texas, said he did not receive a warning about the potential for deadly flooding across his city.
Joe Herring Jr. said the weather forecast showed hard-hit Kerrville at the very edge of the map, rather than in the center.
Herring said the night before the downpour, he'd noticed the cloudy sky but thought, "The sky was not angry and I thought to myself, someone's going to get rain but it's probably not going to be us. And I was wrong. I was awakened in the middle of the night by thunder. I looked outside, we had a light rain. In fact, the city of Kerrville really didn't have a lot of rain until later in the day."
"When I checked at about 8'o clock that night, there's a chance of rain. I did not see a flood warning. Did not receive a flood notification. I did not know," he said.
"I individually did not receive a warning in time. When I woke up, I got a call from the city manager" around 5:30 a.m. local time, Herring said. He said he then went downtown to look at the river "It was already, our Louis Hays Park, was already inundated. That was the first time I knew."
Jul 07, 2025 at 12:57 PM EDT
Thousands of Texans remain without power amid historic floods
More than 6,000 households in Texas remain without power on Monday after the historic rainfall and flooding over the weekend.
Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice said that in his city, at least 40 power lines are still down after the storms. Teams are being brought in to repair them, he added.
According to PowerOutage.com as of 12.55 p.m. ET around 6,212 were still in the dark.
Jul 07, 2025 at 12:40 PM EDT
‘If we could go back and do it again, we would evacuate,’ says Cruz
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz told reporters Monday that "in hindsight" he would have evacuated the flood zones as the death toll rose to 89 on Monday.
"Everyone would agree, in hindsight, if we could go back and do it again, we would evacuate," he said.
"Particularly those in the most vulnerable areas – the young children in the cabins closest to the water, we would remove them and get them to higher ground, if we could go back and do it again."
Cruz said that during the "period of retrospection" following the floods, officials would look at "what exactly transpired, what was the timeline, and what could have been done differently to prevent this loss of life?'"
Jul 07, 2025 at 12:20 PM EDT
Cruz says Trump told him that ‘anything Texas needs, the answer is yes’
Sen. Ted Cruz said that he had spoken with President Donald Trump who had promised him that "anything Texas needs, the answer is yes."
The senator added that the search and rescue operations, which are involving people from the local, state and national level, will continue.
They will be followed by rebuilding in the area, which will take longer.
Jul 07, 2025 at 12:12 PM EDT
Ted Cruz says he picked his daughter up from camp in the area last week
Sen. Ted Cruz told the press conference he picked his own daughter up from a camp in the area just last week.
Cruz called the deadly flooding at Camp Mystic "every parent's nightmare."
"The pain and agony of not knowing your children's whereabouts is the worst thing imaginable," Cruz added.
Jul 07, 2025 at 12:06 PM EDT
‘This is not a time for partisan finger pointing,’ says Cruz
Ted Cruz scolded a reporter who asked if there was a need for better weather warnings, after critics raised concerns that the Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service had left it understaffed.
"This is not a time for partisan finger pointing and attacks," the Texas senator responded.
He added that once the search and rescue operation was complete, there "will naturally be a period of retrospection".
Jul 07, 2025 at 11:43 AM EDT
Ted Cruz dismisses weather conspiracy theories
Texas Senator Ted Cruz dismissed some of the weather conspiracy theories that have been flying round the internet.
"To the best of my knowledge, there is zero evidence of anything related to anything like weather modification," Cruz told reporters when asked about the theory that people had deliberately made Texas flood.
"Look, the internet can be a strange place. People can come up with all sorts of crazy theories."
Cruz's dismissal comes one day after Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she was introducing a new bill which would tackle "weather modification."
Jul 07, 2025 at 11:39 AM EDT
City manager says he didn’t ‘want to cry wolf’ on evacuations
Dalton Rice, the Kerrville city manager, was asked if there had been any discussion on whether to evacuate the area before the floods.
"What we don't want to do is cry wolf," Rice told reporters. "We want to make sure we activate it at the right time.
"So even when he had first responded on the ground at 3.30am in the morning, we had reports, we had first responders being swept away actually responding to the first areas of rainfall. That's how quick it happened."
Jul 07, 2025 at 11:29 AM EDT
Kerrville city manager calls flooding ‘unprecedented’
Dalton Rice, the Kerrville city manager, calls the devastating floods that left at least 75 dead across his Texas county "unprecedented."
"This is unprecedented, unprecedented flood events," he said at a Monday press conference.
"So we are still currently in the primary search phase, which is the rapid one; they are running it, we have different segments that are gridded out," he said.
He added that search and rescue operations were continuing in North Kerr County to Canyon Lake and Comal County, but teams had faced challenges including terrain, water, and weather.
Jul 07, 2025 at 11:19 AM EDT
Ten campers and one counsellor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for
Ten campers and one counsellor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for, Kerr County sheriff Larry Leitha said at a Monday press conference.
Leitha said that so far, 75 bodies have been recovered in the county, including 48 adults and 27 children.15 adults and nine children remain unidentified of the bodies recovered.
Leitha added that search and rescue operations are continuing with state, local and national agencies working together to find the missing individuals.
Jul 07, 2025 at 11:13 AM EDT
More than 80 killed in flooding across Texas
The death toll for the floods across Texas rose to at least 81 today.
In Kerr County, officials reported 75 deaths, including 48 adults and 27 children. The other deaths are spread across five counties.
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:56 AM EDT
Mo-Ranch camp evacuates 70 ahead of deadly Texas flooding
Quick action by staff at the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly likely saved lives early on July 4, as rising waters from the Guadalupe River forced the evacuation of about 70 children and adults from a riverside building.
Located near Hunt, Texas, the 500-acre Christian camp had been hosting a summer program and youth conference when staff noticed the river swelling amid heavy rainfall. Around 1 a.m., facilities manager Aroldo Barrera alerted leadership, prompting an immediate evacuation to higher ground, despite no official warning from local authorities.
"They got them up, they got them out, put them up on higher ground," said Mo-Ranch communications director Lisa Winters. All campers and guests were accounted for, and no injuries were reported.
The camp's swift response stood in stark contrast to nearby Camp Mystic, where flash floods claimed dozens of lives. Mo-Ranch leaders say they had been monitoring weather conditions for 24 hours and acted on their own instincts.
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:40 AM EDT
Texas agriculture reels from flood damage, full impact still unknown
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says the full extent of damage to the state's agriculture industry from the July 4 floods remains unknown, as search and rescue efforts continue for more than 40 people still unaccounted for.
"We haven't even had time to start calculating the agricultural loss," Miller told Fox News. "We've lost hundreds of miles of fencing, barns, all kinds of buildings, structures. It's been devastating."
Miller described scenes of livestock stranded or swept away by floodwaters, with some animals found "on the tops of trees." He said the 26-foot wall of water that surged through parts of the Hill Country in the early morning hours "caught everybody off guard."
The Texas Department of Agriculture is urging farmers and ranchers to move livestock to higher ground and secure equipment as more rain is forecast. Officials say recovery will take weeks if not months, and the economic toll on rural communities could be severe.
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:23 AM EDT
Flash flood warning issued for Coryell and Lampasas counties
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a flash flood warning Monday morning for Coryell and Lampasas counties, where heavy thunderstorms have already dropped between 2 and 5 inches of rain. The warning remains in effect until 11:15 a.m. CDT.
Forecasters predict an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain, with flash flooding either ongoing or imminent. Areas at risk include Lampasas, Topsey, Rumley, Pidcoke, and King.
The warning highlights the danger to small creeks, urban streets, and low-lying areas. Officials are urging drivers to avoid flooded roads and heed the message: "Turn around, don't drown."
The alert comes as Central Texas continues to face widespread flooding following a deadly holiday weekend that has already claimed dozens of lives
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:19 AM EDT
Impassible roads in Texas: Report
There are reports this morning that multiple roads on the north side of Copperas Cove, Texas, have become impassable due to flash flooding, with several vehicles stranded in rising water.
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:15 AM EDT
Canyon Lake rises sharply but remains below flood pool
Canyon Lake in Central Texas has seen a significant rise in water levels following days of torrential rain. Still, it remains well below its designated flood pool, according to the Texas Water Development Board.
As of July 6, the reservoir was 60.7% full, with a water level of 887.89 feet—still more than 21 feet below the flood pool elevation of 909 feet. Just two days earlier, on July 4, the lake was only 46.3% full, highlighting how quickly runoff from the recent storms has filled the reservoir.
The conservation storage has increased by more than 50,000 acre-feet in just 48 hours, reflecting the intensity of rainfall across the Guadalupe River basin. Officials continue to closely monitor inflows, as additional rain could further increase levels.
Jul 07, 2025 at 10:02 AM EDT
Samaritan’s Purse deploys to Texas after deadly July 4 flooding
Samaritan's Purse has mobilized disaster relief teams to Kerr County, Texas, following the catastrophic July 4 flooding that has claimed at least 80 lives and left several people still missing. The Christian humanitarian organization is partnering with local churches and emergency officials to assess needs and begin recovery efforts.
Disaster Relief Unit 5 and support equipment departed Monday from the group's Southwest Ministry Center and will be staged at Community Bible Church in San Antonio. Teams from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team are also on the ground, offering spiritual and emotional support.
"This is a heartbreaking tragedy," said Franklin Graham, who joined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in prayer with families in Kerrville over the weekend. "We need to continue to surround these devastated families and communities in prayer."
The organization is encouraging volunteers to prepare to assist once conditions allow. More than 800 people have been rescued so far, and search efforts are ongoing.
Jul 07, 2025 at 09:49 AM EDT
Expert says Texas flood was ‘worst-case scenario’ no one could predict
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In an interview on CNN This Morning, former NOAA official Alan Gerard said that the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River was a "worst-case scenario" that current forecasting tools couldn't predict more than an hour or two in advance.
Gerard, who once led the National Severe Storms Laboratory, explained that while meteorologists recognized a high-risk environment for flash flooding, pinpointing the exact location and severity of such an extreme event remains beyond current scientific capabilities.
"The unfortunate reality is all the soil and hills in that area just funnel all of that rainfall right into the river," Gerard said. "You can get these tremendous flood waves that develop extremely quickly."
He also pointed to a possible "breakdown in communication" between state and local agencies, suggesting that some camps and residents may not have fully understood the risk. Gerard emphasized that while Texas emergency officials had pre-positioned resources, the unpredictability of flash floods makes timely evacuations difficult.
Jul 07, 2025 at 09:35 AM EDT
Kerr County Flood Relief Fund launched to support recovery efforts: Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
In response to the devastating July 4 flooding, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has established the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to support local response, relief, and long-term recovery efforts.
The fund will direct donations to vetted organizations working on the front lines in communities like Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, and Center Point. "This fund gives our neighbors and friends a way to help," said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation. "We'll ensure funds support the organizations working on the front lines of flood response and recovery."
The foundation has experience managing crisis relief, having previously supported efforts following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting and the Crabapple Fire earlier this year. Donations can be made on the county's website.
Jul 07, 2025 at 09:33 AM EDT
Flash flood threat escalates in Llano County as rivers rise rapidly
A flash flood warning was issued Monday morning for Llano County, Texas, as heavy rain continues to fall on already saturated ground. The National Weather Service labeled the warning "considerable," signaling a heightened risk of life-threatening flooding.
Located about 60 miles north of Kerr County—where floods have already claimed dozens of lives—Llano County is now bracing for rapid runoff into creeks and rivers. Forecasters say the soil is too saturated to absorb more water, meaning flash flooding could begin almost immediately.
Jul 07, 2025 at 09:22 AM EDT
Trump ‘fully engaged’ in Texas flood response, Noem says
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that President Donald Trump is "fully engaged" in the federal response to the deadly flooding in Central Texas and is prepared to do "all that he can" to support the state.
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Noem described the devastation as a "horrific situation" and said she visited the area on Saturday, meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott, emergency responders, and families impacted by the disaster—including parents of missing girls from Camp Mystic.
"It was absolutely devastating," Noem said. "We responded immediately... with Coast Guard assets, with Customs and Border Protection teams trained for rescue missions. FEMA has also been activated at an enhanced level."
She emphasized the close coordination between federal, state, and local officials, adding that the administration is focused on reuniting families and delivering relief.
"Make no mistake, how tragic this situation is," Noem said. "And the president is fully engaged and willing to do all that he can to help the people of Texas through this."
Jul 07, 2025 at 09:09 AM EDT
Trump calls Texas floods ‘horrible,’ says he’ll likely visit Friday
President Donald Trump called the deadly flooding in Texas a "horrible thing." He said he plans to visit the disaster zone on Friday, July 11, as the state continues to recover from one of the deadliest flood events in U.S. history.
"It's a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible," Trump told reporters Sunday, according to a video shared on Truth Social. "God bless all of the people that have gone through so much, and God bless the state of Texas—it's an incredible place."
Trump said he has been in contact with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and signed a major disaster declaration to unlock federal resources for the state. He added that he delayed the visit to avoid interfering with ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Jul 07, 2025 at 08:53 AM EDT
IN PICTURES: Some of the aftermath of the Texas floods
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Jul 07, 2025 at 08:40 AM EDT
Camp Mystic flood tragedy raises questions about risk and location
Camp Mystic, the all-girls summer camp devastated by flash flooding along the Guadalupe River, was one of several camps built in areas known to be prone to flooding, according to federal data. At least 27 campers and counselors have been confirmed dead, and 11 others remain missing after the river surged more than 20 feet in under two hours early on July 4.
The camp, located near the confluence of the South Fork Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek, sits within zones the Federal Emergency Management Agency classifies as high-risk flood areas. Both of Camp Mystic's sites overlap with either regulatory floodways or areas with a 1% or 0.2% annual chance of flooding, CNN reported this morning.
Officials say the flood was a 1-in-100-year event—rare but not unprecedented. As the climate warms and the atmosphere holds more moisture, such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, experts warn.
Jul 07, 2025 at 08:23 AM EDT
Flash flood warning issued for parts of Central Texas: National Weather Service in Fort Worth
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a flash flood warning early Monday morning for portions of Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties, where heavy rain from slow-moving thunderstorms is already causing dangerous conditions.
As of 7:13 a.m. CDT, radar indicated that 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected. The warning remains in effect until 10:15 a.m. CDT.
Communities, including Killeen, Copperas Cove, Fort Cavazos, and Kempner, are at risk for flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas, underpasses, and small creeks. Officials urge residents to avoid flooded roads and heed the warning: "Turn around, don't drown."
The alert comes as Central Texas continues to recover from catastrophic flooding over the July 4 weekend that has already claimed dozens of lives. With more rain in the forecast, emergency officials are urging extreme caution.
Jul 07, 2025 at 08:17 AM EDT
Texas Flood becomes one of deadliest in U.S. in a century
The catastrophic flooding that swept through Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend has now become one of the deadliest flood disasters in the United States in the past 100 years. As of Sunday evening, officials confirmed at least 82 deaths, with 41 people still missing across six counties, including dozens of children from summer camps along the Guadalupe River.
The National Weather Service notes that flooding is the second deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., behind only extreme heat. On average, floods claim more than 100 lives annually. But the scale of the Hill Country disaster places it among the most lethal in modern American history—surpassing the death tolls of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and rivaling the devastation of the 1927 Mississippi River flood and the 1937 Ohio River flood.
The last time Texas saw flooding on this scale was during the 1900 Galveston hurricane, which remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history with an estimated 8,000 deaths. While the current toll is far lower, the speed and intensity of the July 4 flood—driven by a 20-foot surge in under two hours—has stunned meteorologists and emergency officials alike.
With more rain in the forecast and search efforts ongoing, authorities warn the death toll could still rise. The tragedy has reignited urgent conversations about climate resilience, floodplain development, and the need for stronger early warning systems.
Jul 07, 2025 at 08:04 AM EDT
NWS issues new flood watch as more rain threatens Central Texas
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The National Weather Service in Austin-San Antonio has issued a new flood watch through 7 p.m. Monday, warning that additional rounds of heavy rain could trigger dangerous flash flooding across already saturated parts of Central Texas.
Forecasters say 2 to 4 inches of rain are likely, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 10 inches. The heaviest showers are expected to develop near the I-35 corridor and eastern Hill Country, where rainfall rates could overwhelm local waterways.
"Any additional heavy rainfall over hardest hit areas of the past few days will lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding," the NWS said in its early morning advisory.
The alert comes as communities across the region continue to recover from catastrophic flooding over the July 4 weekend that left dozens dead and many still missing. Emergency officials are urging residents to remain alert and avoid low-lying areas as storms redevelop throughout the day.
Jul 07, 2025 at 07:50 AM EDT
Pallone Slams GOP After Texas Floods, Warns Disasters Will Worsen
As deadly floods devastate Texas, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) is calling out Republicans for rolling back climate protections.
In a post on X, Pallone stated that the GOP's "Big Ugly Bill" eliminated key climate action laws and cut funding to the National Weather Service—moves he argues are exacerbating extreme weather events.
"The deadly flooding in Texas has shown... those incidents are likely to get worse as Republicans ignore the reality of climate change," Pallone wrote.
Jul 07, 2025 at 07:38 AM EDT
Camp Mystic confirms 27 dead in Texas flood disaster
Camp Mystic, the historic all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River, confirmed Sunday that at least 27 campers and counselors died in the catastrophic flash flooding that struck early on the Fourth of July.
"Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy," the camp said in a statement, adding that they remain in contact with authorities still searching for missing girls.
The river rose more than 20 feet in under two hours, sweeping through cabins and cutting off escape routes. The camp, founded in 1926, had nearly 750 girls in residence when the flood hit.
Officials say the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue across Kerr County. Camp Mystic has asked for privacy and prayers for the families affected.
Jul 07, 2025 at 07:24 AM EDT
Coast Guard swimmer hailed as hero after saving 165 in Texas floods
A 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer is being celebrated as a national hero after saving 165 people during catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, on his first-ever rescue mission, was deployed to Camp Mystic—one of the hardest-hit areas—where he served as the only triage coordinator on the ground.
Ruskan directed helicopters, provided first aid, and comforted terrified campers and staff as floodwaters surged through the Guadalupe River Valley. "He is an American hero whose selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the USCG," the DHS wrote on X.
The Coast Guard has assisted in more than 230 rescues so far, deploying fixed-wing aircraft with thermal imaging and MH-65 Dolphin helicopters to aid evacuations. Ruskan, a former accountant from New Jersey, joined the Coast Guard in 2021 and was stationed in Corpus Christi.
"Honestly, I'm mostly just a dude. I'm just doing a job. This is what I signed up for, and I think that any single Coast Guard rescue swimmer or any single Coast Guard pilot, flight mechanic, whoever it may be, would have done the exact same thing in our situation," he told the New York Post.
Jul 07, 2025 at 07:21 AM EDT
Donald Trump grilled about NWS cuts after deadly Texas flood
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President Donald Trump was asked about cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) after deadly Texas floods left at least 80 people dead.
Speaking to reporters, the president dismissed concerns that there needs to be extra staff at the weather service and said the floods were an unexpected "once in a 100 years" event.
The NWS told Newsweek that Flash Flood Warnings were issued on the night of Thursday July 3 and in the early morning of Friday July 4
Flash floods in Texas' Hill Country, which began on Friday, have killed at least 80 people while other remain missing or displaced, after the Guadalupe River surged by more than 20 feet in 90 minutes.
The NWS, which issues forecasts and weather warnings, has lost approximately 560 workers earlier this year amid Trump's desire to streamline government services and save money. The flooding has raised questions about these cuts and the extent to which there is disaster preparedness in Texas and other states in the U.S.
Read the full story by Kate Plummer on Newsweek.
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