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Central Texas flash flooding early on July 4 devastated Kerr County and surrounding Hill Country, claiming more than 100 lives, including dozens of children, and leaving many still missing. Rapidly rising waters from the Guadalupe River overwhelmed summer camps and low-lying communities during the peak of Independence Day celebrations.
At least 84 deaths have been confirmed in Kerr County—27 of them children—and fatalities across the region are estimated to exceed 100, according to county officials. Among the missing are 10 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp near the river.
Search-and-rescue teams—comprising more than 400 personnel, including drones, helicopters, boats, and canines—have rescued over 850 people but continue to comb flood debris for victims.
Federal disaster aid has been mobilized, with President Donald Trump declaring Kerr County a major disaster area and FEMA and Coast Guard assets deployed. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to examine flood siren infrastructure, while Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick indicated the state may fund sirens along the Guadalupe River ahead of next summer if localities lack the means.
Despite warnings from the National Weather Service and social media alerts, Kerr County lacked outdoor sirens and did not activate text alerts through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The county had considered sirens in 2016–17 but discontinued plans due to cost and residents’ concerns about false alarms.
In contrast, nearby town Comfort had functioning sirens that were tested and activated for the first time ahead of flooding.
More than 20 inches of rainfall from Tropical Storm Barry’s remnants inundated the region. The Guadalupe surged some 26 feet in just 45 minutes, entirely overwhelming river gauges and infrastructure.
Climate scientists point to worsening heavy rainfall fueled by global warming, making the region—often dubbed Flash Flood Alley —increasingly vulnerable .
The National Weather Service (NWS) staffing reduction was immediately blamed by Trump's detractors for the massive death toll and damage brought on by the Texas floods. The critics suggested that staffing shortages may have delayed or hampered warning coordination. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged an inspector general’s probe into NWS staffing and performance.
