Kerr County Flooding: Death Toll Rises to 59, Including 21 Children, as Search Continues for Missing Campers

KERRVILLE, Texas — July 6, 2025 — Kerr County officials delivered a somber update Sunday morning, confirming that catastrophic flash flooding along the Guadalupe River has claimed 59 lives, including 21 children. The devastating floods, triggered by torrential rains on July 4, have left the Texas Hill Country reeling, with 11 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp, still unaccounted for.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, speaking at a 10 a.m. news conference, reported that the fatalities include 38 adults and 21 children, with 18 adults and four children still pending identification. “The numbers may continue to change as we move forward,” Leitha said, emphasizing the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Over 1,200 first responders, including K9 units and more than 100 air and water units, are combing through the ravaged terrain, marked by toppled trees, overturned vehicles, and debris.

The flooding, described as surpassing the infamous 1987 Kerr County flood, struck with little warning during the Independence Day weekend, catching residents, campers, and officials off guard. The Guadalupe River surged by more than 20 feet in less than two hours, sweeping away homes, cabins, and infrastructure. Camp Mystic, located along the riverbank, was particularly hard-hit, with reports of younger campers’ cabins being situated closer to the water.

Among the missing are 11 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic, where approximately 750 campers were in residence. Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper, described the destruction, saying, “The camp was completely destroyed.” She and her cabinmates, housed on elevated ground, were evacuated by helicopter, but others were not as fortunate.

The confirmed fatalities include sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, from Dallas, whose deaths were verified by their father. Parents across the region are grappling with uncertainty, with many gathering at reunification centers in Kerrville, including one at the Arcadia Live theatre and another at Calvary Temple Church for those searching for loved ones unrelated to Camp Mystic.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who issued a disaster declaration for 15 counties, vowed that search efforts would continue relentlessly. “Not just every hour, every minute counts,” Abbott said, noting that over 850 people have been rescued, some found clinging to trees. The state has deployed more than 1,000 responders, and Governor Abbott has requested federal aid through a disaster declaration, which former President Donald Trump is expected to honor.

Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice described the grim reality of the recovery process, stating, “We are seeing bodies recovered all over, up and down the area.” A missing persons email (kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov) and a reunification intake line have been established to assist families.

The flooding, fueled by 4 to 10 inches of rain with some areas reporting over a foot, has drawn comparisons to the 1987 flood, which killed 10 teenagers. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted, “No one knew this kind of flood was coming,” highlighting the lack of a warning system. A flood watch remains in place, with more rain forecast, complicating rescue efforts.

Community members are mourning the losses, with a special Mass scheduled at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Sunday for the victims and their families. As the search continues, Sheriff Leitha and other officials remain resolute: “We will not stop until every single person is found.”

For the latest updates, residents are urged to follow Kerr County’s official channels and contact floodrecovery@co.kerr.tx.us for relief information. The press conference is available for viewing on local news livestreams.

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