[The waal river in winter on a overcast day, Photo Credit to Freepik]

Over July 4th and July 7th, 2025, Hill Country in central Texas experienced a catastrophic flash flood event after intense thunderstorms, fueled by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, stalled over the region.

Up to 20 inches of rain fell within less than 48 hours, triggering heavy and abrupt flooding across the Guadalupe River watershed. 

Tropical humidity and a mesoscale convective vortex combined to form the storm system.

The Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in roughly 45 minutes in some areas of the region, including Hunt.

At Hunt, river gauges recorded elevations reaching 37.5 feet, while Kerville and Comfort, downstream, reported similar levels also.

Over 103 fatalities were reported in Kerr County alone, one in Travis, eight in Kendall, five in Burnet, three in Williamson, and one in Tom Green, for a total of at least 129 fatalities throughout several counties.

According to authorities, approximately 170 individuals remain missing throughout the state.

At Camp Mystic, a ladies’ summer camp close to Hunt, 27 campers and people, including director Richard Eastland, were among the dead individuals.

Emergency responses to emergencies were initiated right away.

More than 400 state and federal responders, including units from Mexico, and more that 2,000 volunteers were mobilized.

Heavy machinery, airboats, and helicopters were all used in search and rescue missions.

A Coastal Guard swimmer is credited with saving 165 of more than 850 people who were rescued.

The Texas National Guard and local authorities later evacuated hundreds more residents later.

Governor Greg Abbott responded to the crisis by extending the declaration of a state disaster to numerous counties on July 4th.

On July 6th, President Trump officially declared Kerr County as a federal disaster.

By July 10th, Kerrville had government established recovery facilities and campaigns run by federal agencies such as the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the SBA, and FEMA.

During his visit, President Trump met with emergency responders and inspected the devastation.

In addition to the tragic loss of life, there was also widespread destruction of infrastructure.

Roads, bridges, utilities, cabins, homes, and camp sites were all severely damaged.

The economic cost is estimated to be between 18 and 22 billion dollars.

Numerous property owners lacked enough food and proper housing.

There were also huge structural losses at Camp Mystic.

Cabins were swept away and communication systems were cut off overnight at the Guadalupe River site.

About 27 people, including campers, counselors, and the camp director were officially proclaimed to be dead, while six more people are still missing.

There were no fatalities nor property damage close to Cypress Lake.

Prior to  the flooding, state mandated readiness checks of camp infrastructure were completed and found to be satisfactory.

Many counties helped destroyed sites and people recover.

Kerrville was transformed into a relief center, and comfort launched sirens and did not see any flood fatalities.

Since the Big Thompson flood in 1976, the incident is thought to be the deadliest inland flood to have been caused in the United States of America.