Flash floods swept via Central Texas in early July 2025, unleashing a catastrophic catastrophe that has already claimed no less than 70 lives and left dozens extra lacking. At a press convention on July 6, 2025, W. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Administration, mentioned officers are nonetheless “actively looking” for survivors however acknowledged that “these efforts will flip into restoration in some unspecified time in the future.”
Fueled by a rare collision of tropical storm remnants and stalled climate programs, the floods brought about rivers to surge at report charges, inundating cities, camps, and rural communities with little warning. As search and rescue efforts proceed, Texas is grappling with the size of one of many deadliest climate occasions in its latest historical past.
Beneath, discover out about how the floods occurred, what led to the devastation, and extra.
Timeline of the Texas Flooding
The Nationwide Climate Service tracked how the flooding unfolded throughout Central Texas, starting with warnings issued as Tropical Storm Barry’s remnants approached the area.
- Thursday, July 3: Remnants of Barry moved into Texas, bringing the primary bands of heavy rain.
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Thursday evening – Early Friday, July 4: Tropical moisture mixed with Pacific air, unleashing torrential rain throughout Central Texas.
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Early Friday, July 4: As much as 6.5 inches of rain fell in three hours; in Hunt, the Guadalupe River surged 22 toes in two hours, ultimately cresting close to 29 toes.
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Friday morning, July 4: Floodwaters overtook rivers, roads, and camps, with catastrophic impacts at websites like Camp Mystic.
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Friday–Saturday, July 4–5: Search-and-rescue operations started as emergency crews labored urgently to seek out survivors amid ongoing flooding.
What Brought about the Flooding in Texas?
Meteorologists attribute the flash floods to a convergence of Barry’s remnant mid-level circulation and Pacific moisture over Central Texas, which unleashed torrential downpours. The Nationwide Climate Service had warned of doable mesoscale flash floods, however the swift river rises—as much as 29 toes inside hours—overwhelmed emergency planning.
May the Flooding Have Been Prevented?
The Nationwide Climate Service did subject flash flood watches and warnings forward of the storms, however some communities and camps both didn’t obtain alerts in time or lacked clear evacuation protocols. Emergency officers in Kerr County admitted they had been caught off guard by how rapidly the rivers rose.
Updates on Texas Restoration Efforts
As of July 6, search-and-rescue operations stay energetic throughout flooded elements of Central Texas, with greater than 850 individuals rescued by emergency crews, together with the Texas Nationwide Guard.
Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency, and FEMA has begun establishing catastrophe help facilities. President Donald Trump signed a Main Catastrophe Declaration for Kerr County on July 6, deploying FEMA, Homeland Safety, the Coast Guard, and federal help to bolster native response efforts.
