Over 160 people unaccounted for in Texas floods

Over the 4 July weekend, flash floods in parts of Texas resulted in the deaths of over 100 people, including young children at summer camps.

Governor Gregg Abbot of Texas reported on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, that 161 people are still missing following the deadly flash floods that occurred over the weekend. The number of missing individuals has significantly increased, with five children and one counselor from Camp Mystic among those unaccounted for. At least 27 people lost their lives at Camp Mystic due to the flooding, with the death toll from the floods reaching 109 and continuing to rise.

The majority of fatalities and search efforts for additional victims have been focused in Kerr County and Kerrville. The region was severely affected by torrential rains that led to fatal flooding along the Guadalupe River. Other counties impacted by the floods include Travis, Kendall, Burnett, Williamson, and Tom Green. Many of the missing individuals are believed to be in the Texas Hill Country area, complicating search and rescue operations as they had not registered at camps or hotels.

Camp Mystic, a century-old all-girls Christian summer camp, suffered significant losses during the flash floods, with 27 campers and counselors losing their lives. Among the victims were children like Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, both eight years old, as well as 19-year-old counselor Chloe Childress, and nine-year-olds Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner. The aftermath of the floods left the camp in ruins, with mud-covered blankets, pillows, and luggage strewn around the area.

Ten-year-old Lucy Kennedy, a survivor from the camp, recalled being awakened by thunder before the floods hit. She described the evacuation process where campers were instructed to gather essentials and line up before being airlifted to safety. Lucy's mother, Wynne Kennedy, shared their harrowing experience of holding each other tight throughout the night after their home in Kerrville was also destroyed by the floods.

Following the disaster, questions arose regarding the timeliness of warnings issued by local authorities. Additionally, there has been political debate surrounding cuts made by Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency to the National Weather Service, though the impact of these cuts remains uncertain.