What was supposed to be a joyful summer weekend turned into a nightmare across Central Texas, where devastating flash floods surged through towns and campsites—leaving families shattered, communities grieving, and search crews still holding out hope.
Terrifying Timelapse Shows River Rising in Minutes
A shocking timelapse video that’s now circulating online has laid bare just how fast the disaster unfolded.
In only 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose more than 30 feet—swallowing roads, trees, and anything in its path.
Vehicles became stranded, onlookers scrambled for safety, and within the hour, only the tops of trees remained above the raging floodwaters.
The video, captured from around 5 p.m. on July 4, has stunned viewers.
“Where does one run to in six minutes?” one commenter asked, referencing how rapidly the water overtook the area.
Another said it was “beyond insane” to watch it all happen so quickly.
Death Toll Rises as Search for the Missing Continues
As of Sunday morning, the confirmed death toll had reached 82 people, including 28 children.
Officials say 41 more are still missing, many of them campers from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Kerr County that was hit especially hard.
Among the missing are 11 young girls.
Emergency crews remain in full rescue mode, hoping to find survivors.
But behind closed doors, the outlook is grim.
According to internal state communications obtained by the Daily Mail, the death toll is expected to top 100—even as officials publicly insist they are focused on live rescues.
A Beloved Camp Leader Dies Trying to Save Children
One of the many tragic stories to emerge is that of Richard “Dick” Eastland, the 70-year-old director of Camp Mystic.
He died trying to rescue the young girls under his care.
The camp, nestled along the Guadalupe River, became a death trap when a month’s worth of rain fell in just minutes.
Most of the missing campers were younger girls, between eight and nine years old, who had been sleeping on lower ground closest to the riverbank.
Older girls stayed in cabins further up the hill and were spared the worst of the flooding.
Community in Mourning as Families Flock to Kerrville
As the days go by, heartbroken families have been arriving in Kerrville from across Texas.
Many are offering DNA samples to help authorities identify recovered bodies.
The process is agonizing, but necessary—some remains are now beyond recognition due to the sheer force of the flood.
Among the missing are girls from affluent families in Highland Park, a wealthy suburb of Dallas often referred to as the “Beverly Hills of Texas.”
Some families are also connected to the Highland Park United Methodist Church, which counts former President George W. Bush as a longtime member.
Church and Community Gather to Pray for the Missing
On Saturday, over 300 people gathered at the church for a prayer vigil.
Pastor Paul Rasmussen shared a heartfelt message, acknowledging the deep pain the congregation is feeling.
“This crisis affects many in our HPUMC family,” he said.
“One of the girls still unaccounted for, Hadley Hanna, is part of our church community.
Please pray for her, her parents Doug and Carrie, and her two sisters.”
More Rain on the Way as Officials Issue Fresh Warnings
As if the situation wasn’t already dire enough, weather officials have issued new warnings for more rain in the days ahead.
Emergency services say the area near Johnson Creek and the Guadalupe River could rise another two feet due to additional rainfall.
Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd confirmed that aircraft are now flying overhead in search of what they fear could be another dangerous surge—what he described as a possible “wall of water.”
A Race Against Time Amid Devastation
Time is running out. While search teams continue combing through debris and flooded terrain, families are clinging to hope, praying for miracles.
At the same time, the reality of the disaster is starting to settle in, and the long road to healing is just beginning.