At least 134 people are confirmed dead following catastrophic flooding in Texas that began on July 4, 2025, and intensified during a second surge of severe storms in mid-July 2026. As rescue and recovery efforts continue across the Hill Country, officials report more than 100 people remain missing.
The July 2026 Resurgence of Flooding
The Texas Hill Country, a region still processing the trauma of the 2025 disaster, faced a renewed crisis this week. Heavy rains that began early Thursday, July 16, 2026, triggered fresh flash flood emergencies, causing the Guadalupe River to spike dangerously. According to the Texas Tribune, the river surged 32 feet in just four hours at Center Point, prompting warnings of a large and deadly flood wave
moving downstream toward Bergheim.
State and local officials report at least one fatality related to the 2026 flooding, with the victim recovered in the Center Point vicinity. Fox7austin notes that the Cajun Navy 2016 has returned to the region to assist with swift water rescue operations, marking a somber return to a community they supported during the previous year’s devastation. While the 2026 flood crested at 37 feet—matching the height of the July 4, 2025 event—officials noted the current surge is moving over a wider footprint.
The 2025 Camp Mystic Tragedy
The death toll of 134 reported by Theguardian largely stems from the initial July 4, 2025, catastrophe that decimated areas along the Guadalupe River, most notably Camp Mystic. During that event, the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sweeping through the all-girls summer camp where approximately 700 children were present. Among the victims were 27 children and counselors associated with the camp.
“I want the parents out there who are watching … but the parents who got calls from Camp Mystic where they said your daughter is not accounted for at this point, I want all of you to know we will do everything humanly possible, 24/7, looking at every tree, turning over every rock, whatever it takes, if your child is one of those truly missing and not just out of touch, to find your daughter.”
Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, via NBC 5
The scale of the 2025 loss remains a defining element of the region’s current disaster response. Nbcdfw confirmed that families from across North Texas were among those directly affected, with some children remaining missing for weeks following the initial surge.
Federal Response and Disaster Declarations
Following the 2025 disaster, the federal government activated resources to support the recovery. President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, which unlocked FEMA assistance and led to a 90-day foreclosure moratorium on FHA-insured mortgages. As TPR, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development identified more than 900 properties with such mortgages in the declared area.
However, the response has been marked by tension. During a July 2025 visit, President Trump dismissed questions regarding the adequacy of emergency alerts, telling reporters that only a very evil person
would ask whether communities were sufficiently prepared. Simultaneously, experts like former NOAA director Rick Spinrad questioned whether staff cuts at the National Weather Service’s parent agency, NOAA, hindered the ability to issue timely warnings, as noted by Reuters.
Tensions Over Recovery and Communication
The recovery process has faced significant friction, including allegations of threats against local officials. Kerr County Commissioner Rich Paces stated during a public meeting that he had been getting death threats
from individuals frustrated by the pace and nature of the cleanup efforts. This atmosphere of blame has complicated the work of local leaders who are attempting to manage both the physical recovery of the landscape and the emotional toll on the community.
Public cooperation has also been tested.
Next Steps for Search and Rescue
As of Thursday, July 16, 2026, the immediate priority remains the safety of residents in the path of the latest floodwaters. Governor Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources, including swift-water rescue teams, as the National Weather Service predicts further heavy rainfall through the upcoming weekend. Residents in the Hill Country are being urged to monitor local alerts and evacuate if ordered, as the saturated ground leaves little capacity for drainage, heightening the risk of rapid, life-threatening rises in river levels.
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