What Happened in the July 2025 Texas Floods
Overnight on July 4, 2025, storms dropped 10 to 12 inches of rain in six hours over parts of the Texas Hill Country. The Guadalupe River at Kerrville rose 32.5 feet in 1.5 hours, from 1.82 feet at 5:15 a.m. to 34.29 feet at 6:45 a.m., according to provisional U.S. Geological Survey data reported by NOAA (NOAA). NOAA called the rainfall a 1-in-1,000-year event.
The rain fell on dry ground, because the 20 counties in the disaster declaration had been in drought since late 2021, and 63% of them were still in drought on July 1.
Key facts
- At least 138 people died across Texas, according to state Sen. Charles Perry (Texas Tribune).
- The Guadalupe River at Kerrville rose 32.5 feet in 1.5 hours (NOAA).
- Kerr County had 474 flood insurance policies in force that morning (OpenFEMA).
The night moved faster than most people could react.
How the July 4, 2025 flood unfolded in Kerr County
- July 3 Flood watch The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the area on Thursday afternoon.
- 1:14 a.m. Flood warning Forecasters escalated to a warning 3 hours and 21 minutes before the first flooding reports came in, the Texas Tribune reported.
- 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. The river surges The Guadalupe at Kerrville climbed from 1.82 to 34.29 feet.
- July 6 Federal disaster declared FEMA declared disaster DR-4879, opening aid to households in 10 counties.
Sources: Texas Tribune, July 2025; NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory (USGS provisional data); OpenFEMA disaster declarations.
How Many People Died in the Texas Floods
At least 138 people died across Texas, and 119 of them in Kerr County, about 86% of the known total. At least 37 of Kerr County’s dead were children (Texas Tribune; Texas Tribune, September 2026).
The counts have changed as officials confirmed deaths, so these are the latest figures the Texas Tribune reported, and they may still change.
The damage reached far beyond Kerr County, with households in ten counties registering for FEMA disaster aid, 8,566 in all.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Kerr | 3204 |
| Tom Green | 1906 |
| Travis | 1176 |
| Williamson | 747 |
| Burnet | 724 |
| San Saba | 246 |
| McCulloch | 199 |
| Menard | 174 |
| Guadalupe | 173 |
| Kimble | 17 |
Source: OpenFEMA, Housing Assistance Program data for owners and renters, disaster DR-4879, queried September 28, 2026. Valid registrations.
What Happened at Camp Mystic
The flood killed 25 campers and 2 counselors at Camp Mystic, a girls camp on the Guadalupe River, and the camp’s owner. The camp withdrew its license application in April 2026 and did not reopen in 2026 (KUT). Lawsuits over the deaths are ongoing.
The Texas Rangers are running a criminal investigation. Search warrant affidavits filed in September 2026 say investigators believe camp leaders committed manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, according to the Texas Tribune. A Kerr County judge approved 14 search warrants for electronic data. No one has been charged (Texas Tribune).
State investigators found the camp lacked required emergency plans and adequate evacuation procedures, the Tribune reported, and a legislative report found gaps in communication between authorities and in the evacuation instructions counselors had.
Why the Texas Hill Country Floods So Often
Central Texas is known as Flash Flood Alley because of its high-intensity rains, shallow soils and steep terrain, in the words of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Rain runs off steep hills and thin soil quickly instead of soaking in, so creeks and rivers rise fast.
- 32.5 feet
- Rise of the Guadalupe River at Kerrville in 1.5 hours
- 10-12 inches
- Rain in six hours in some places
- 20+ inches
- Likely local rain totals over several days
What Texas Changed After the Floods
In an August and September 2025 special session, lawmakers banned licenses for youth camps with cabins in a floodplain, required camp emergency plans, required warning sirens in flood-prone areas, and set aside $283.1 million for disaster needs. Here is where each stands.
Texas flood laws from the 2025 special session
As of September 28, 2026
- Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act (SB 1) Law
The state may not issue or renew a youth camp license for a camp that operates cabins in a floodplain. Camps must set muster zones and emergency procedures. Passed the House 120 to 4. (source)
- Youth CAMPER Act (HB 1) Law
Camps must submit emergency plans for approval each year, have a warning system with a public address system that works without the internet, monitor Weather Service and river authority alerts, and tell parents if any part of the camp is in a floodplain. (source)
- Outdoor warning sirens (SB 3) Law
The Texas Water Development Board identifies areas that need sirens in the counties declared after the floods. Cities and counties must install, test and maintain them, and the governor runs a grant program to help pay. (source)
- Disaster money (SB 5) Law, $283.1 million
$200 million for disaster needs and FEMA matches, $50 million for sirens and gauges in 30 counties, and $28 million for forecasting grants. (source)
- Disaster charity fraud (HB 20) Law
Creates a designation program for disaster relief nonprofits and financial institutions and a criminal offense for fraudulent charitable solicitation during declared disasters. (source)
- Camp Mystic criminal investigation Agency action, no charges
Texas Rangers obtained 14 search warrants, reported September 22, 2026. Affidavits name manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. (source)
Source: Texas Legislature, 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, enrolled bills; Texas Tribune
The biggest share of the new money went to disaster recovery, not warnings.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| FEMA match and state disaster needs | M200 |
| Flood sirens and gauges in 30 counties | M50 |
| Weather forecasting grants | M28 |
| Camp safety enforcement (DSHS) | M5.1 |
Source: SB 5, 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, enrolled version. Camp safety combines two appropriations to the Department of State Health Services.
Did the New Sirens Work in 2026?
Mostly, by early accounts, though gaps remained. Heavy rain flooded the Guadalupe and other Hill Country rivers again in mid-July 2026. At least 2 people died and more than 230 were rescued (KUT).
Three of Kerr County’s six new sirens sounded, and new sirens also warned people in Ingram and Kendall County, PBS NewsHour reported. “Last year, we got no alarms,” one Kerrville resident told PBS. Gaps remained: some Uvalde County residents got no local wireless alert and learned of the danger from calls between 2 and 3:30 a.m. (PBS NewsHour).
Flood Insurance in Texas
Most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, and few Kerr County households had flood coverage. On the morning of the flood, Kerr County had 474 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force. Afterward, 3,204 Kerr County households registered for FEMA aid, about 6.8 for every policy. In Tom Green County, 462 policies were in force.
Flood insurance policies in force on July 4, 2025, in counties hit by the floods
The two columns do not count the same things, since a registration is a household asking for help and a policy can cover a business or a second home, so the comparison shows how thin coverage was rather than an exact share.
Flood insurance paid where people had it. FEMA’s data showed 124 flood insurance claims in Kerr County from the July 2025 flood, with $17.6 million paid as of September 2026. FEMA had approved about $9.7 million in housing aid for Kerr County owners and renters.
How to get covered. An NFIP policy usually starts 30 days after you buy it, so buy before storm season. A homeowner can insure the building up to $250,000 and belongings up to $100,000. Renters can buy coverage for their belongings (FloodSmart).
What to Do Before and During a Flood
Get alerts, know your way to higher ground, and never drive into flood water. Open the situation closest to yours. This is general safety information, not legal advice.
Floods in Texas, by situation
Open the one closest to yours.
A flash flood warning is issued where I am
- Move to higher ground now. Do not wait to see the water.
- If you are near a creek or river at night, wake everyone and leave the low area.
- If you cannot leave, go to the highest floor. Do not go into a closed attic you cannot get out of.
On July 4, 2025, the Guadalupe River rose 32.5 feet in 1.5 hours at Kerrville.
The road ahead is covered by water
- Turn around. You cannot tell how deep the water is or whether the road beneath it is gone.
- Never walk into moving water. 6 inches of fast water can knock an adult down.
- If your car stalls in rising water, get out and move to higher ground if it is safe to do so.
The National Weather Service says 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks.
My child is going to a camp near a river
- Ask whether any part of the camp is in a floodplain. Camps must now tell parents in writing.
- Ask to see the camp's emergency plan and where campers go in a flood.
- Ask how the camp gets Weather Service alerts overnight and how it warns every cabin.
HB 1 and SB 1 (2025) require floodplain notice, approved emergency plans and a warning system that works without the internet.
I live near a creek or river
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio with batteries.
- Buy flood insurance now. It usually takes 30 days to start.
- Plan two ways out to higher ground, and practice them with your family.
- Keep medicines, documents and a phone charger in a bag you can grab.
Most homeowners insurance does not cover floods, according to FEMA.
My home flooded
- Stay out until officials say it is safe. Flood water can hide electrical and structural hazards.
- Photograph the damage before you clean up, and call your flood insurer.
- Register for FEMA aid if a federal disaster is declared, even if you have insurance.
- Watch for fake charities and contractors. Texas made disaster charity fraud a crime in 2025.
HB 20 (2025) created a criminal offense for fraudulent charitable solicitation during declared disasters.
Common Questions About the Texas Floods
How many people died in the Texas floods in July 2025?
At least 138 people died across Texas, according to state Sen. Charles Perry as of August 20, 2025. Kerr County was hit hardest, with 119 deaths, including 25 campers and 2 counselors at Camp Mystic.
Why does the Texas Hill Country flood so much?
Central Texas is known as Flash Flood Alley because of high-intensity rains, shallow soils and steep terrain, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Rain runs off quickly instead of soaking in, so creeks and rivers can rise very fast. On July 4, 2025, the Guadalupe River at Kerrville rose 32.5 feet in about an hour and a half.
What happened at Camp Mystic?
The July 4, 2025 flood killed 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, a girls camp on the Guadalupe River, and the camp’s owner. The camp withdrew its license application in April 2026 and did not reopen. In September 2026, court documents showed the Texas Rangers are investigating camp leaders for possible manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. No one has been charged.
What did Texas change after the floods?
In a 2025 special session, lawmakers barred licenses for youth camps with cabins in a floodplain, required camp emergency plans and warning systems, required outdoor warning sirens in flood-prone areas the state identifies, and set aside $283,078,991 in SB 5, including $50 million for sirens and gauges.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage in Texas?
Most homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Flood insurance is a separate policy, often bought through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, and it usually takes 30 days to start. Renters can buy coverage for their belongings.
How many people in Kerr County had flood insurance?
FEMA records show 474 flood insurance policies in force in Kerr County on July 4, 2025. After the flood, 3,204 Kerr County households registered for FEMA disaster aid.
What You Can Do
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and sign up for your county’s alert system.
- Check your flood risk and insurance. Ask your agent whether your policy covers flood, and buy a policy at least 30 days before you need it.
- Ask your city or county whether your area has been identified for a warning siren under SB 3 and when it will be installed.
- Ask your state legislators how the siren and forecasting money is being spent and which counties are still waiting. The Legislature next meets in January 2027. Find your members with Who Represents Me and use our letter-writing guide.