Dozens of people have died in devastating flash floods that struck central Texas’s Hill Country, including 15 children, with 27 girls from Camp Mystic still missing after floodwaters destroyed the Christian summer camp.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott during a press conference on Saturday to announce comprehensive federal disaster response, conveying that President Donald Trump is “absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas, and the loss of life is absolutely devastating to him and Melania.”
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes before daybreak Friday, washing away homes and vehicles in what officials are calling a once-in-a-century flood.
Why It Matters
Months’ worth of rainfall fell within just a few hours in Texas’ Hill Country on Friday, overwhelming riverfront communities and forcing emergency teams to evacuate children’s summer camps threatened by rising water.
In central Kerr County, up to 10 inches of rain inundated the area overnight, causing the Guadalupe River to swell rapidly and overflow its banks, sparking widespread flash flooding.
The flooded area lies about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio.
The flooding has exposed the vulnerability of Texas to extreme weather events and raised urgent questions about warning systems and disaster preparedness for communities and summer camps.
AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez
What To Know
More than 850 people have been rescued in the last 36 hours, with search crews using helicopters, boats, and drones to locate victims and rescue people stranded in trees and isolated camps.
Beyond Kerr County’s devastating toll, six additional people died in nearby counties, including three in Travis County where several others remain missing, and a firefighter who was swept away while responding to a rescue call.
During Saturday’s joint press conference, Noem confirmed that Trump has already committed to honoring Abbott’s federal disaster declaration request, ensuring rapid deployment of federal resources.
She emphasized that Trump spoke with her multiple times Saturday morning, wanting to ensure Texans know “how much he loves Texas, how much he’s grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we’re still looking for and hoping to return to their families.”
Gov. Abbott expanded the state’s disaster declaration to include additional counties and declared Sunday, July 6th, as a Day of Prayer for flood victims. The governor vowed that authorities would “work around the clock to rescue and recover victims” and promised to search new areas as floodwaters recede. Federal approval of the disaster declaration enables deployment of emergency management personnel, funding for debris removal, and assistance for displaced families.
Coast Guard helicopters and planes are assisting to ensure search operations can continue even in darkness. The flooding caught many residents and campers by surprise despite warnings from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service (NWS) about potential flash flooding hours beforehand. Officials defended their response while acknowledging they hadn’t expected such intense rainfall equivalent to months of precipitation in the region.
Declared this Sunday, July 6th, as a Day of Prayer in Texas in response to the floods in the Hill Country.
I invite Texans to join me in prayer for the communities affected by this disaster. pic.twitter.com/vHWt1CQPzW
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 6, 2025
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump’s Truth Social message on Saturday: “The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday. Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly. Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said during Saturday’s press conference: “I want to thank Governor Abbott for his leadership and know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas, and the loss of life is absolutely devastating to him and Melania. This morning, I talked with him several times, and he wanted to make sure that all of you know how much he loves Texas, how much he’s grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we’re still looking for and hoping to return to their families.”
She added: “And that he is absolutely committed to using all the resources of the federal government to help unify families, rescue all those that we’re still missing, and return those who maybe we will recover back to their families as soon as possible. And that we will be here walking alongside each other and helping throughout this entire crisis.”
Dalton Rice, Kerrville city manager, said on Saturday: “The unknown is how many people were here locally that we don’t have numbers for. Numbers are going to change.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X: “Tonight, I signed a disaster declaration to ensure local officials have the resources to continue to respond to floods in the Hill Country. Texas will stop at nothing to ensure every missing person is fully accounted for.”
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said during a news conference on Friday night: “I’m asking the people of Texas, do some serious praying this afternoon—on your knees kind of praying—that we find these young girls and that they’re only unaccounted for because they’re somewhere that we don’t know yet but that they’re alive and safe.”
AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez
What Happens Next
Search and rescue operations continue around the clock as torrential rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio on Saturday with flash flood warnings and watches remaining in effect.
Federal disaster declaration approval accelerates deployment of additional emergency resources and funding. Long-term recovery efforts will focus on rebuilding infrastructure and evaluating flood preparedness measures for the historically flood-prone region.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country continues collecting donations for affected families and communities facing extensive property damage and displacement.