The Texas floods of July 2025 have left a trail of grief, with a rising death toll and stories of loss that pierce the heart. From a young girl’s final text to a camp director’s sacrifice, a teacher’s tragic end, a woman’s last call, and a haunting photo of lost campers, these accounts reveal the human cost of nature’s wrath.
1. The Devastating Flood’s Toll
Record-breaking floods along the Guadalupe River ravaged Central Texas, claiming at least 111 lives by July 8, 2025, with 172 people still missing. Kerr County suffered the most, reporting 87 deaths, including 15 children at Camp Mystic, a girls’ Christian camp. Travis County confirmed seven fatalities, Kendall eight, Burnet five, Williamson three, and Tom Green one. Rescue teams navigate debris-laden waters, but hope fades for the missing.
On July 5, a truck was found impaled on a tree near the Guadalupe River in Center Point, a stark symbol of the flood’s force. Camp Mystic’s cabins, once filled with laughter, now lie in ruins, mud coating every surface. Sheriff Laura Hensley said, “We’re working non-stop to find everyone,” withholding names to respect families. Lt. Governor Dan Parker noted 23 Camp Mystic girls were unaccounted for on July 4, with numbers still unclear due to the holiday weekend’s chaos.
2. The Harber Sisters’ Final Message
In North Texas, the Harber family mourns sisters Lily Harber, 13, and Mia Harber, 11, lost to the Kerrville floods. Their grandparents, Tom and Ellen Harber, remain missing. Found 15 miles from where floodwaters took them, the girls’ hands were clasped together, a symbol of their bond. Their aunt, Sarah Harber, shared, “They held on to each other until the end.”
The girls were staying at a neighbor’s riverfront home when the storm hit. Mia’s last text to her parents and grandparents at 3:30 a.m. read, “I love you.” Both sisters, devout in their faith, carried rosaries. A GoFundMe, started by family friends, raised over $310,000, surpassing its $275,000 goal. Their joint funeral is set at St. Mary’s Church in Dallas, with Southwest Airlines arranging their return. Sarah, a flight attendant, noted the girls’ talk of heaven weeks before, adding a bittersweet layer to their loss.
3. Camp Mystic Director’s Brave Sacrifice
Richard “Rick” Eastland, 74, Camp Mystic’s director, died heroically trying to save campers during the July 4 floods. Leading the camp since 1974 with his wife, Clara, Eastland attempted to evacuate girls from the Bubble Inn cabin as waters surged. He was found in a submerged SUV with three campers, passing en route to the hospital. Journalist Emily Tate wrote on Facebook, “Rick was a mentor to countless girls, his final act true to his heart.”
Camp Mystic, hosting over 700 girls, saw dozens missing, with 27 still unaccounted for by July 5. Clara Eastland was found safe at home. Sheriff Hensley noted the holiday weekend complicated tracking campers, but rescue efforts persist, with images of ruined cabins shared online.
4. Teacher Jeff Wilson’s Tragic End
The Wilson family from Kingwood—Jeff, Amber, and their son, Caleb, 12—vanished during a Kerrville youth rodeo trip. Jeff’s body was found on July 5, identified via photo, pending forensic confirmation. Amber and Caleb remain missing. Their truck was located in floodwaters, detached from its camper. Jeff’s brother-in-law, Mark Ledford, posted on Facebook, urging help and later cautioning against unverified posts.
Search teams found Caleb’s gear 13 miles downstream. Mark submitted DNA to aid identification and is organizing a donation system. Jeff, a beloved teacher at Kingwood High, was honored at a July 6 vigil in Kingwood’s Town Center Park, reflecting his community impact.
5. Joyce Badon’s Final Words
Joyce Badon, 21, was found dead after the Hunt floods swept her away with friends Ella Carter, Reese Morgan, and Aidan Walsh. Her father, Tom Badon, confirmed the loss, while her mother, Karen, expressed hope for finding Joyce’s friends. Staying at a hilltop house, the group was trapped by a 4 a.m. flood. Joyce’s last call to Aidan’s father, James Walsh, ended with, “They’re being washed away,” before the line cut.
Mackenzie Carter, Ella’s sister, pleaded for help on social media, noting their last contact near SH-39. Reese was later confirmed dead, while Ella and Aidan remain missing. Karen found solace, saying Joyce’s spirit reassured them from heaven. Joyce’s compassion touched many, her memory enduring.
6. Camp Mystic’s Haunting Final Photo
A July 8 Instagram post by nypost shared a heartbreaking photo of 13 Camp Mystic girls and two counselors, taken at the Bubble Inn days before the floods. Smiling in white outfits on a tennis court, their joy contrasts with the tragedy—many are gone or missing, including Molly Tate, Abby Klein, Ellen Hart, and counselor Katherine Wells. A second image shows a mud-soaked cabin, chairs scattered.
Comments flooded in: “Unbearable loss 💔,” “Pray for these angels,” and “This breaks my heart.” The image captures a fleeting moment of unity, now a symbol of grief for a community reeling from the floods’ toll.
The Texas floods have left scars through stories of love, loss, and courage. As families grieve and searches continue, these accounts remind us to cherish every moment and support those in pain.
Share this story to honor the lives lost and keep hope alive for those still missing.