Texas floods kill at least 135 people and leave many missing
- Flash floods in Texas resulted from heavy rainfall in early July, impacting communities along the Guadalupe River significantly.
- The death toll from the floods rose to at least 135, with search efforts revealing that initially reported missing persons drastically declined over time.
- The Texas legislative session addresses flood preparedness and emergency response amidst the ongoing recovery from the disaster.
In early July 2025, flash floods caused by heavy rainfall devastated Texas, particularly affecting the Hill Country area. The floods led to an overwhelming toll, claiming at least 135 lives, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Kerr County. The Guadalupe River overflowed, resulting in catastrophic conditions that caught many residents and visitors off guard, particularly as the flooding occurred during the night. This situation particularly affected summer camps, including Camp Mystic, where numerous young campers met tragic fates. Initially, over 160 individuals were reported missing in connection with the floods, and search efforts intensified to locate these people. However, officials later revised the number of the still-missing individuals down to three, attributing this reduction to various factors including tourists leaving the area without reporting their whereabouts. The strain of the search effort was considerable, echoing patterns seen in previous disasters where the number of missing persons fluctuated significantly post-event. As recovery efforts commenced, Texas lawmakers convened for a special legislative session aimed at addressing the aftermath of the floods. Governor Greg Abbott highlighted the need for improved flood warning systems and emergency communications in flood-prone areas during this session. This legislative action was a direct response to the chaos surrounding the event, emphasizing the urgency of preparedness against natural disasters in the future. While the search for the missing and healing of the affected communities continues, local businesses reliant on tourism have suffered greatly. Many establishments in the Kerr County area saw a marked decline in visitors, impacting their operations and financial stability significantly. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the floods, local efforts are focusing on rebuilding and recovery while plans are established to prevent similar disasters in the future.