According to City of Kerrville, they have established a fund for relief effort. Click below to donate:

About the Kerrville Flood:

On July 4, 2025, the Texas Hill Country, particularly Kerrville, TX, faced a catastrophic flooding event that has left the community reeling. The Guadalupe River, a cherished feature of this scenic region, surged to unprecedented levels, rising 21.6 to 29.86 feet in under an hour, surpassing the devastating 1987 flood. Triggered by 10 to 15 inches of rain in just a few hours, the flood claimed at least 24 to 27 lives, including 18 adults and 9 children, with 20 to 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in Hunt, 18 miles from Kerrville. Homes, businesses, and infrastructure were destroyed, leaving a trail of devastation. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of emergency preparedness and evacuation plans to protect communities from such unpredictable disasters.

The Devastating Impact of the Kerrville Floods

The floods struck with little warning, catching residents, campers, and officials unprepared. Despite a flood watch issued the previous day, the National Weather Service underestimated the rainfall, predicting 4 to 8 inches while some areas received up to 13 inches. The Guadalupe River rose rapidly, cresting at 39 feet in some spots, transforming it into a destructive force. Camp Mystic, a beloved summer destination, suffered “catastrophic level floods,” with cabins along the riverbank completely destroyed and many campers unaccounted for. In nearby Ingram, an RV park saw nearly 50 RVs and tiny homes swept away, some with people inside. Kerrville’s infrastructure was heavily impacted, with roads, bridges, and the Butt-Holdsworth Library’s footbridge submerged, and over 2,600 customers left without power.

The human toll is heartbreaking. The rapid onset of floodwaters, described by one survivor as a “pitch black wall of death,” left little time for evacuation. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly noted the absence of an adequate warning system, compounding the tragedy. The disaster disrupted Fourth of July celebrations, with events like Kerrville’s “Fourth on the River” canceled as Louise Hays Park was overtaken by floodwaters. The ongoing search for the missing girls from Camp Mystic, supported by the Texas National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and Texas A&M Task Force 1, highlights the urgency of recovery efforts.

This event parallels the devastation caused by hurricanes in large cities like Houston and New Orleans, where rapid flooding has overwhelmed communities. The Kerrville floods remind us that natural disasters, whether in rural areas like the Texas Hill Country—known as “Flash Flood Alley” for its rapid runoff—or urban centers, can strike with little warning and catastrophic consequences.

INFORMATION NUMBER FOR MISSING PERSONS
Family members seeking information about individuals missing in Friday’s flood event can call (830) 258-1111

Shelters: Shelters for those displaced by the flooding have been set up in Kerrville at these locations:

Medical shelter at First United Methodist Church — 321 Thompson Drive Kerrville, TX 78028
Congregate shelter at Calvary Temple Church — 3000 Loop 534 Kerrville, TX 78028
Notre Dame Catholic Church — 929 Main Street Notre Dame Catholic Church Kerrville, TX 78028
Schreiner University — Event Center, 2100 Memorial Boulevard

Looking for a loved one?: Authorities also advised people to call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 if they were trying to locate a loved one.

The Vital Role of Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plans

The Kerrville tragedy emphasizes the need for every household, business, and community to have a robust emergency preparedness and evacuation plan. Here are essential steps to ensure safety and resilience:

Create a Comprehensive Evacuation Plan:

• Identify safe evacuation routes to higher ground, avoiding low-water crossings, which were quickly inundated in Kerrville. Residents near the Guadalupe River were urged to “seek higher ground now,” but many were trapped by the speed of the floodwaters.
• Establish a communication plan with designated meeting points and emergency contacts. Reunification centers, such as Ingram Elementary School and Arcadia Live in Kerrville, were critical for families separated during the chaos.
• Practice evacuation drills regularly, especially in flood-prone areas like the Hill Country, where rivers can rise rapidly.

Stay Informed with Real-Time Alerts:

• Subscribe to local weather alerts and use apps like the KSAT Weather Authority for up-to-date forecasts. The lack of real-time alerts in Kerrville left residents unaware of the escalating danger.
• Monitor river gauges and road conditions through resources like DriveTexas.org. The National Weather Service’s “particularly dangerous situation” warning at 5:34 a.m. came too late for many.

Prepare an Emergency Kit:

• Stock a kit with essentials: water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first-aid supplies. Survivors like Tony and Hope Bernal, who evacuated with minimal belongings, relied on shelters for basic needs.
• Include waterproofed important documents and portable chargers, as power outages and communication disruptions affected thousands in Kerrville.

Leverage Community Resources:

• Know your local shelters, such as Schreiner University, which reached capacity during the floods, and other safe zones. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund provides vital support for families, including those searching for loved ones from Camp Mystic.
• Support local disaster relief efforts through the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to aid recovery.

Without these measures, communities risk being overwhelmed, as seen in Kerrville and in hurricane-stricken cities like Houston during Hurricane Harvey. Proactive planning can save lives and reduce the chaos of sudden disasters.

Community Support and Donation Needs

According to the City of Kerrville Facebook Page, the Salvation Army is seeking donations to support those affected by the flood. Items urgently needed include:

• Non-Perishables
• Hygiene Items
• Bleach
• Brooms
• Shovels
• Trash Bags
• Diapers
• Socks
• Baby Wipes

These donations are critical to help families and individuals recover from the loss of homes and belongings, providing essential supplies to those in shelters and reunification centers.

Rebuilding After the Floods

As Kerrville begins the long process of recovery, the focus is on both immediate relief and long-term resilience. Over 850 people have been rescued, including 167 by helicopter, with ongoing efforts to locate the missing girls from Camp Mystic. Reunification centers, shelters, and community support from organizations like the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund are helping families cope with loss and displacement. However, the physical damage of destroyed homes, washed-out roads, and waterlogged buildings—requires significant resources to repair.

The floods highlight the need for communities to invest in infrastructure improvements, such as better warning systems and flood-resistant designs, to mitigate future risks. Just as hurricanes have prompted cities to enhance drainage systems and emergency protocols, the Kerrville floods should spur action to protect the Texas Hill Country from future disasters.

A Call to Action for Community Resilience

The Kerrville floods of 2025, with their devastating impact on places like Camp Mystic, are a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability. The loss of lives, the missing children, and the widespread destruction underscore the urgency of emergency preparedness. By developing evacuation plans, staying informed, preparing emergency kits, and leveraging community resources, individuals and communities can better withstand flash floods and other natural disasters.

As Kerrville mourns and rebuilds, let this tragedy inspire collective action. Create your emergency plan today, stay vigilant with weather alerts, and support recovery efforts through the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund or by donating needed items to the Salvation Army. Together, we can ensure that the Texas Hill Country—and communities everywhere—are better equipped to face the next storm.

For more information on how to help, visit the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund or the City of Kerrville Facebook Page for updates on donation needs.

Click Here to Go To Kerrville Facebook Page