WIMBERLEY, Texas – July 6, 2025
At least 51 people are confirmed dead and 27 young girls remain missing following catastrophic flash floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country, leaving behind scenes of devastation and grief. The disaster, centered near the Guadalupe River, has prompted one of the largest multi-agency search and recovery operations in the state's history.
The floodwaters, triggered by an unprecedented overnight storm that dropped more than 20 inches of rain in some areas, surged through towns and rural communities early Tuesday morning, overwhelming defenses and leaving little time for evacuation.
Among the hardest hit was Camp Starlight Meadows, a popular summer camp for girls aged 9 to 13. Two cabins located closest to the riverbank were reportedly swept away with no time to evacuate. Survivors described the flood as a “tsunami-like wall of water.”
"We are still searching for the living, but we must also prepare for the worst," said Blanco County Sheriff Frank Miller, visibly emotional. "We will not stop until every family has an answer."
Shift from Rescue to Recovery
While the river has since receded, revealing a tangle of debris, twisted metal, and ruined buildings, hopes of finding survivors are fading. Rescue efforts have now shifted toward recovery, with Texas Task Force 1 deploying sonar equipment, K-9 units, and drones across miles of flood-ravaged terrain.
Authorities say some of the deceased were found as far as 10 miles downstream. Identities of all victims have not yet been released, pending family notifications.
Families Hold Out Hope Amid Grief
At a community center converted into an emergency shelter, families of the missing girls maintain a heartbreaking vigil. Some cling to photos, others to one another, as grief counselors and faith leaders offer what comfort they can.
"You pray until you can’t pray anymore," said one father, holding a picture of his 10-year-old daughter. "You just want them to find her. You just want to bring her home."
Official Response and National Mourning
Governor Greg Abbott, who surveyed the damage by helicopter, called it “one of the darkest days in Texas history.”
"The scale of this loss is indescribable," Abbott said. "We are committing every resource to help this community recover and support these shattered families."
The National Weather Service described the deluge as a “thousand-year flood event,” a statistical rarity that underscores the magnitude of destruction but fails to convey the profound human toll.
As the search continues, Wimberley and surrounding communities begin the painful process of mourning — a process that will last long after the floodwaters are gone.
Related Questions and Answers
What caused the deadly flooding in Texas?
A record-setting storm dumped over 20 inches of rain in under 12 hours, causing flash floods along the Guadalupe River and across the Hill Country region.
Why are so many children missing?
The girls were attending Camp Starlight Meadows, where two riverside cabins were swept away by floodwaters before campers could evacuate.
How is the state responding to the disaster?
Governor Abbott has declared a state of emergency. Elite search teams, grief counselors, and aid workers are deployed across the affected area.
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