A stark comparison of aerial images shows the devastating extent of flooding in Texas, as the official death toll climbs to 59 lives lost.
The disaster struck in the early hours of July 4, a day typically filled with patriotic festivities across the U.S.
But in Kerrville and surrounding communities, tragedy unfolded as the Guadalupe River surged to unprecedented levels, causing a catastrophic flash flood.
The torrent tore through Kerr County, destroying everything in its path.
Authorities have now confirmed that 59 people, including 15 children, have di.ed as a result of the flooding.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with emergency crews working tirelessly to locate more than 20 missing children.
These children had been attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, which hosted approximately 750 attendees.
The camp is now without electricity, running water, or internet service.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick cautioned that while the children remain unaccounted for, they may simply be out of communication rather than missing in the flood.
“They could be somewhere safe without the ability to reach out,” he said.
The scenes from the flood zone are heartbreaking. In Hunt, Texas, where Camp Mystic is located, piles of furniture and debris now line the streets, offering a glimpse of the destruction left behind.
Numerous videos and images have circulated online showing the chaos as it happened, including a time-lapse of the water rising and comparisons of the Guadalupe River before and after it overflowed.
One post on Reddit captured the stark transformation of the landscape.
The “before” photo showed dry land, with spaced-out trees and walkways — a calm park-like setting.
But in the “after” image, the same area was completely underwater, with only the tops of trees visible above the surface.
Viewers were stunned by the speed and scale of the disaster.
One user commented: “I’m from here. I’m 33, and this is the third time I’ve seen flooding like this.”
Another pointed out the infrastructure: “Looks like the bridge was designed to withstand expected maximum flood levels.”
One commenter recalled a hauntingly similar tragedy: the 1987 flash flood on the same river.
On July 17, 1987, the Guadalupe River rose 29 feet, sweeping away a school bus and a van carrying teenagers from a church camp southeast of Kerrville.
Ten teens di.ed, and 33 others, along with four adults, were rescued — some clinging to tree branches until help arrived, according to reports from The New York Times.
That flood was deemed the worst in the river’s history in more than half a century.
Now, in 2025, the state is once again facing sorrow and uncertainty. Rescue efforts continue, and hopes remain that the missing — especially the children — will be found safe.
