Texas Flash Floods 2025: Rescue Operations Intensify as 166 Missing, Death Toll Hits 121

Kerrville, Texas, July 11, 2025 – Catastrophic flash floods that struck Central Texas, particularly Kerr County, on July 4, 2025, have left at least 121 people dead and 166 still missing, with search and rescue operations ongoing amidst challenging conditions. The Guadalupe River, swollen by over 10 inches of rain in hours, devastated communities, summer camps, and vacation homes in Texas Hill Country, known as “Flash Flood Alley.” This article provides the latest updates on rescue efforts, missing persons searches, and the critical issue of inadequate warning sirens, as reported by multiple sources.

Devastating Impact and Rising Death Toll

The floods, triggered by torrential rainfall, caused the Guadalupe River to surge by 20-26 feet in under 90 minutes, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and entire campsites. Kerr County, west of Austin, bore the brunt, with 96 confirmed deaths, including 46 children, many from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp hosting 750 campers. At least five girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing, with 27 fatalities confirmed at the camp alone, including 8-year-old Mary Kate Jacobe and sisters Blair and Brooke Harber, aged 13 and 11. Other counties, including Travis, Burnet, Williamson, Tom Green, and Kendall, report additional fatalities, bringing the statewide toll to 121 as of July 11, 2025.

The death toll is expected to rise, as 161 people remain unaccounted for in Kerr County alone, with 10 more missing across other parts of Texas. Governor Greg Abbott emphasized, “We will not stop until we identify, recover every single body,” highlighting the scale of the recovery effort.

Search and Rescue Operations: A Race Against Time

Hundreds of rescuers, including local, state, federal, and international teams, are combing through debris along the Guadalupe River, using helicopters, boats, drones, horses, and cadaver dogs. The Texas National Guard has conducted 520 rescues, including 361 air evacuations with Black Hawk helicopters. The U.S. Coast Guard, led by heroes like Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, who saved 165 people, has been pivotal, alongside teams from Virginia, Florida, California, and even Mexico’s Fundación 911.

Operations face significant challenges: fallen debris, downed power lines, spotty cell service, and continued rainfall complicate efforts. Private drones have interfered, with one causing a helicopter crash in restricted airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration has banned non-rescue aircraft over Kerr County until July 13. Search efforts are transitioning to recovery in some areas, with heavy machinery clearing debris, though hope persists for finding survivors.

Heartbreaking stories have emerged. Lorena Guillen, a Kerrville RV park owner, described hearing screams as floodwaters swept away campers, with rescuers unable to reach victims clinging to trees. Volunteers like Amber Hensley recounted attempts to save a woman and child swept away by currents. At Camp Mystic, rescuers found children’s belongings scattered amid mud-caked debris, underscoring the tragedy’s toll.

Lack of Warning Sirens Sparks Controversy

A major point of contention is Kerr County’s lack of a flood warning siren system, despite years of debate. In 2016, former Commissioner Tom Moser called the county’s warning system “antiquated” and inadequate for a region prone to flash flooding. Plans for sirens and river gauges were rejected due to costs, with a $1 million grant bid failing in 2017. Unlike the nearby town of Comfort, which used a new two-siren system to alert residents, Kerr County relied on text alerts that were often delayed or missed due to poor cell service.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood warnings 12 hours in advance, escalating to “life-threatening” alerts by 4:06 a.m. on July 4, but many residents, including those at Camp Mystic, received no timely notifications. Local officials, including Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha and City Manager Dalton Rice, have faced scrutiny for not evacuating high-risk areas like summer camps earlier. Governor Abbott acknowledged that authorities were aware of a possible flash flood but underestimated its magnitude. A petition by resident Nicole Wilson now demands sirens, calling them a “necessary investment in public safety.”

Federal and State Response

President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration, enabling FEMA to deploy resources, though the agency faced bureaucratic delays and criticism over outdated flood risk models. Trump, who plans to visit Texas on July 11 with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, endorsed flood alarms, stating, “I would imagine you’d put alarms up in some form.” The Department of Health and Human Services is set to declare a public health emergency to facilitate mental health support. Governor Abbott has called a special session to address emergency communication systems, sirens, and relief funding.

Community Resilience and Relief Efforts

The tragedy has galvanized communities. The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Minnesota Vikings donated $2 million to relief efforts, while local businesses like Buddy’s BBQ are feeding first responders. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has established a relief fund for donations. At Camp Mystic, survivors sang hymns during evacuations, a testament to their resilience.

Ongoing Flood Risk

The NWS warns of continued flash flood risks, with 1-3 inches of rain expected in Kerr County on July 11, potentially exacerbating conditions. Residents are urged to avoid flooded areas and report missing persons to authorities.

How to Help

To support victims, donate to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country or visit CNN’s Impact Your World for vetted organizations. Avoid self-deploying to rescue sites to prevent interference.

This disaster, one of the deadliest U.S. floods in decades, underscores the urgent need for improved warning systems and preparedness in flood-prone regions. Stay updated with NRIGlobe for the latest on Texas flood recovery and global news.

Keywords: Texas flash floods, Kerr County flooding, Camp Mystic tragedy, search and rescue operations, missing persons Texas, flood warning sirens, Guadalupe River flood, Texas Hill Country, Governor Greg Abbott, FEMA response, July 2025 floods