Remembering Texas Hill Country: 1 year since the heartbreaking flooding disaster killed 135 on July 4
It's been one year since the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country rose to record-breaking heights n the early morning hours of Independence Day 2025, taking the lives of more than 130 people.
It's been one year since the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country rose to record-breaking heights in the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, taking the lives of at least 135 people.
Over just a few hours, relentless rains caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry caused rivers to rise and Flash Flood Emergencies to be issued in Kerr County and surrounding areas.
The precipitation caused some waterways to rise 30 feet in just an hour, catching residents and visitors off guard as floodwaters raced eastward through the Lone Star State toward the Gulf.
The National Weather Service called it a "deadly flood wave", urging people to seek higher ground and evacuate quickly.
Hundreds of people were swept away as the Guadalupe River escaped its banks, carrying away homes, cars and flooding campgrounds, including the all-girls camp, Camp Mystic.
TRINITY UNIVERSITY COACH MOURNS ‘KIND SPIRIT’ OF 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WHO DIED AT CAMP MYSTIC
As floodwaters began receding late on July 5th, the destruction was unimaginable.
Mud, trees, brush and debris created massive piles along the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Personal items, clothing and memories of loved ones missing in the floods were scattered around and buried in mud.
BEFORE-AND-AFTER PHOTOS OF CAMP MYSTIC, KERR COUNTY SHOW DEVASTATION 1 WEEK AFTER DEADLY FLOODS
Stories of rescue, recovery and heartbreak emerged as search and rescue for the missing began.
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reported on the ground for days, telling the stories of those who risked their lives to save others, following along as flood recovery continued and the death toll rose.
Families told their stories of escaping the rising floodwaters, fleeing to the roofs of their homes in panic.
94-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DESCRIBES RACING TO ATTIC TO FLEE WATER FILLING HOME DURING TEXAS FLOODS
94-year-old Betty Matteson and her family had just moments to flee the water that was filling her home in Hunt, Texas. They escaped to their attic and were preparing to climb onto the roof, more than three stories up, when the floodwaters began receding.
"Thanks to our Heavenly Father, we were saved," she told FOX Weather in the days following the rescue.
Stories began to emerge of the heroes of the flooding, both those who survived and who were swept away.
People and companies from all over America responded to aid flood victims and help with search and recovery.
At Camp Mystic, the search for more than two dozen girls became frantic as rescue operations shifted into recovery.
In total, 28 lives from the camp were lost, including 25 campers ages 8 to 10, two 18-year-old counselors and the camp's co-executive director.
CAMP MYSTIC FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY NEARLY 1 YEAR AFTER DEADLY FLOODING DISASTER KILLED 28
Camp Mystic filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in June, almost two months after announcing the camp would not reopen for the 2026 season.
Multiple families of the young girls who died in the flooding have sought answers, filing civil lawsuits against the camp.
CAMP MYSTIC WILL NOT REOPEN IN 2026 FOLLOWING DEADLY JULY 4 FLOODING IN TEXAS
The Texas state Legislature launched an investigation into the camp following the tragedy, eventually releasing a report in June that stated the camp failed to adequately train and prepare its staff for flooding.
Byrne revisited Kerr County one year after the flooding, speaking with residents and officials on the progress the county has been making in the year since the tragedy.
"This week is hard because we're reliving what was the most tragic day in our community's history," Joe Herring, Kerrville mayor said.
Herring told Byrne that they still haven't located two of the missing a year later.
Ryan Logue is a diver who has worked tirelessly for the last year on searching for those two missing people and cleaning up the Guadalupe River after the floods.
"The goal will always be that we're always going to look for that young girl and for Jeff Ramsey. That doesn't stop," he said.
New homes have been built, and Kerr County has installed brand new flood sirens which are tested regularly.
"We're a hurting community. We are still trying to heal. We are at the one-year mark where there is a lot of people having to relive horrific experiences and memories," John Dunn, owner of The Hunt Store, said.
The Guadalupe River is calm again, and the debris has been cleared away from its banks, but thousands of people will never look at the river the same.
"People will come back, it'll be hard. Some people’ll never get in it again," Herring said.
Recovery continues across the region as families and communities reel in the progress made while recognizing the calamity, one year later.
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