A devastating tragedy unfolded on the Fourth of July weekend in 2025, when catastrophic flash floods swept through Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian summer camp located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The intense downpour, which delivered a month's worth of rain in mere minutes, caused the Guadalupe River to surge by an astonishing 26 to 30 feet above its usual level, inundating the camp and surrounding areas without adequate warning.

Initially, at least five girls were confirmed dead and several more missing from Camp Mystic. As the scale of the disaster became clearer, the total death toll from the floods, including those not associated with the camp, rapidly rose. Early reports indicated 69 fatalities, including 21 children, a figure that later reached 82 people confirmed dead across various counties, with predictions of over 100 as search efforts continued. The sheriff of Kerr County, Larry Leitha, confirmed at least 68 deaths in the Hill Country area where multiple summer camps are located, in addition to fatalities in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson counties.

Among the victims from Camp Mystic, several young girls lost their lives. These included Renee Smajstrla, 8; Janie Hunt, 9; Sarah Marsh, 8, from Alabama; Lila Bonner, 9; and Eloise Peck, 8. Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, who were best friends sharing a cabin, died together. Additionally, Anna Margaret Bellows, 8, and Mary Kathryn Jacobe, 8, both from Houston, were also confirmed to have died. The camp's beloved director, Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70, tragically perished while attempting to rescue girls. Chloe Childress, a Camp Mystic counselor, was also confirmed among the deceased, remembered for her compassionate nature.

At the time of the floodwaters hitting, approximately 750 girls were staying at Camp Mystic. Many of the missing girls were from the younger age bracket, who had been sleeping on low-lying 'flats' within the camp's cabins, dangerously close to the riverbanks. Older girls were housed in cabins on higher ground. At least 11 girls from Camp Mystic were reported missing, along with one counselor. Among the missing children identified were Kellyanne Lytal, Lainey Landry, Joyce Badon, Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca, and Aiden Heartfield. Desperate families posted about their missing loved ones, aiding in the search efforts.

Beyond the camp attendees, other children also tragically lost their lives. Sisters Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were killed while visiting their grandparents at a cabin along the Guadalupe River. Their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber, were reported missing. The Harber sisters were students at St. Rita Catholic School, and their community mourned their loss, emphasizing a response of love, compassion, and prayer.

The disaster prompted a significant emergency response. On Sunday, then-President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, intended to unlock crucial federal resources for local officials and first responders. Trump visited the affected area a week after the flood. However, his administration faced criticism regarding major cuts to federal funding for agencies like FEMA, which lead natural disaster responses. Questions also arose concerning the adequacy of flood warning systems and evacuation plans in the county. Judge Rob Kelly, the county’s top elected official, stated that 'nobody saw this coming,' and mentioned that a tornado warning-style siren had been considered previously but was deemed too costly. Despite criticism, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security maintained that the National Weather Service had issued timely warnings.

Amidst the devastation, stories of heroism emerged, with neighbors rescuing one another, particularly in the town of Hunt where residents helped their elderly neighbor escape her attic as water inundated her home. Videos from the aftermath showed Camp Mystic girls being evacuated, singing hymns such as 'Pass It On' and 'Amazing Grace' as they crossed a bridge over the still-raging Guadalupe River, a testament to the resilience and spirit of those affected by this profound tragedy.