U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 helicopters provide an aerial view of the flooding of the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, Texas, on July 5. File Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard | License Photo
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, with many marking Independence Day with fireworks and barbecues, the holiday carries a much different meaning in Texas Hill Country. July 4 marks one year since more than 100 people were killed and thousands were displaced by one of the deadliest weather disasters in modern Texas history.
On that morning in 2025, a dangerous combination of meteorological conditions contributed to persistent, heavy rainfall producing seven months' worth of rain in less than two hours in parts of the Central Texas Hill Country. The Guadalupe River rose nearly 30 feet in about an hour due to the intense rainfall.
The deadly wall of water swept away homes, camps and RVs along the river. At least 139 people were killed statewide, including 119 in Kerr County, and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. Many of the victims were children who were camping with their families or attending summer camp along the river.
Camp Mystic has remained closed this summer after 25 campers and three staff members were killed during the historic flooding.
