What started as a joyful summer getaway along the Guadalupe River turned into a devastating tragedy in a matter of minutes, leaving families and campers fighting for their lives.
Texas authorities are still searching for survivors after catastrophic flooding claimed at least 51 lives and left dozens more missing. Officials fear the final toll will rise as they continue to navigate wreckage and fast-moving water.
Kerr County has endured the worst of the devastation. Officials there confirmed 43 deaths so far, including 15 children. Many of these young victims were attending Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian girls’ camp, when floodwaters ripped through the grounds. At last count, 27 campers were still missing.
Other counties also reported losses: Travis County confirmed four deaths, Kendall and Tom Green each reported one, and Burnet County added two more late Saturday — pushing the statewide death count to 51.
Rescue teams warn that more fatalities could be discovered as the search progresses. Many remain unaccounted for.
On Friday, initial reports listed 24 dead and dozens missing after intense rains triggered deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River. Kerr County bore the heaviest blow, with rivers rising and tearing through communities without warning.
Sheriff Larry Leitha stated that flooding along the Guadalupe alone had killed 24 people, many of them children attending local summer camps. Camp Mystic has remained a heartbreaking focus of ongoing rescue efforts.
“We’re not releasing names yet,” Sheriff Leitha said at a Friday night briefing. “We’ll continue working non-stop until everyone is found.”
By Friday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced that around 23 children from Camp Mystic were still missing. That number remained unclear by nightfall as crews pushed forward through hazardous floodwaters and unstable ground.
On July 5, Texas Game Wardens confirmed they had finally accessed Camp Mystic using specialized vehicles. In an emotional social media update, they shared photos and wrote, “#TexasGameWardens have made entry into Camp Mystic and started evacuating campers.”
Founded in 1926, Camp Mystic sits along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, surrounded by old cypress and oak trees. Usually a peaceful summer oasis, it became a rescue site overnight after a massive surge transformed the river into a violent torrent.
Meteorologists described the cause as a “flood wave” — a sudden surge caused by heavy rain and runoff, moving with alarming speed and power.
A viral Facebook video from Center Point, Texas, captured the terrifying wave sweeping down the river, transforming a calm current into a churning wall of water in seconds. Forecasters say such waves can move as fast as 25 to 40 mph, leaving little time to react.
Families are now left mourning and searching. Among the confirmed victims was Renee Smajstrla. Her family shared on Facebook that, although the outcome was heartbreaking, community support helped them quickly locate her. “She will always be living her happiest days at Camp Mystic,” they wrote.
Sarah Marsh was also confirmed lost after days of agonizing waiting. Her grandmother shared the tragic news publicly.
Another young girl, Lila Bonner, was confirmed dead by her family in a statement to NBC5 in Dallas–Fort Worth. Her loved ones described her as deeply cherished and taken too soon.
Janie Hunt’s mother confirmed her death to local reporters, saying her daughter’s light had been abruptly extinguished.
Amid so much heartbreak, there were stories of hope. Two young girls were rescued by helicopter and taken to safety. Officials say additional rescues continue, though conditions remain dangerous and unpredictable.
Among the missing is a family of four — soccer coach Reece Zunker, his wife Paula, and their two children. They vanished while staying at a river house in Hunt. The family had been enjoying the river when the sudden surge arrived.
Tragedy also struck the Brake family. Joni Kay Brake, 66, and Robert Leroy Brake Sr., 67, died when their cabin at an RV park in Kerrville was swept away. The couple had been visiting their son and spent the day fishing and relaxing before the disaster struck overnight.
Their grandson Ryan described a desperate attempt to reach them as water levels rose. In just minutes, cabins were ripped away. “In the seven minutes between the call and my uncle arriving, cabins were gone,” he recounted.
Authorities continue urging people to stay alert and pray for those still missing. As search and recovery efforts go on, communities across Texas are left grappling with unimaginable loss and uncertainty.