Texas Floods Turn Deadly as Hill Country Community Faces Unimaginable Loss
As torrential rains pummeled Central Texas over the July 4 weekend, the Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping through the Hill Country and leaving behind devastation, grief, and hundreds of displaced residents. Officials have confirmed at least 78 deaths, including 28 children, and dozens remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
‘It Scared Me to Death’: Survivors Recall the Chaos
Melvin and Melinda Harris were asleep in their grape-colored motor home when neighbors began banging on their door, yelling, “Get out! It’s flooding!” The 65-year-old retiree has lived through floods before, but nothing prepared him for the speed and power of this one.
By the time they stepped outside, water was waist-deep. Minutes later, the river flipped their motor home. Their cars were gone. Their belongings destroyed. “I’m not scared of anything,” Harris said, his voice shaking. “But this scared me to death.” Now homeless, the couple lost everything they had built since retiring to Kerrville two years ago.
Camp Mystic Destroyed, Dozens of Children Missing
One of the hardest-hit areas is Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp near the Guadalupe River. Entire structures were swept away. As of Sunday, authorities still could not account for all campers and staff.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott assured the public that search and rescue operations are ongoing 24/7, with the help of the Texas National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard. Volunteers have also joined the effort, combing debris-filled areas for signs of life—or loss.
Families Wait in Agony
Tanya Powell’s 21-year-old daughter, Ella Rose Cahill, has been missing since Friday. She had been visiting a home in Hunt, Texas, for the long weekend. Speaking from a reunification center, Powell said, “It’s definitely the worst day of my life.”
That sentiment is echoed across Kerr County as families cling to hope and search for answers in the wake of so much destruction.
‘Straight Out of a Horror Movie’
Ryan Dale, a father of three, described hearing screams as the water approached his apartment. Within minutes, the river had crept up to his building’s fence. He grabbed his kids and ran. They survived, but the trauma lingers. “It looked straight out of a horror movie,” he said, holding back tears.
Officials Disagree on Warnings
As the community begins to reckon with the aftermath, questions are mounting about the accuracy and timing of flood warnings. The National Weather Service and state officials differ on how effective the alerts were in preventing loss of life. Investigations into preparedness and response are expected to follow.
A Region Forever Changed
From uprooted trees and mangled homes to families sleeping in shelters, Texas’ Hill Country is reeling. Signs from once-standing buildings now lie in ruins. Survivors, like the Harrises, vow never to live near water again.
But as the Guadalupe River begins to recede, the emotional toll rises. Communities mourn those lost, pray for those still missing, and brace themselves for what comes next.
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