Urgent: Manhunt Underway for Missing Campers Following Tragic Floods that Claimed 43 Lives
In the aftermath of the devastating flash floods that hit central Texas, the community of Hunt and surrounding areas are still grappling with the impact. As of July 6, 2025, at least 50 lives have been lost due to the floods, with a significant number of fatalities reported in Kerr County, where 43 deaths have been confirmed[1][3].
More than two dozen people remain missing, with 27 campers specifically unaccounted for from Camp Mystic in Kerr County[1][3]. The ongoing search and rescue operations have seen over 160 air rescues conducted, with more than 850 people rescued, including eight injured individuals[1]. The efforts continue to focus on both rescuing those stranded and providing supplies to those sheltering in place.
The rapid and severe nature of the flooding has made the identification of the deceased a challenging process[2][3]. Authorities are working diligently to identify the victims, with the latest update confirming 28 adults and 15 children among the fatalities[3].
The area is experiencing significant infrastructure challenges, with debris and damaged structures complicating recovery efforts. Local officials urge residents to avoid travel unless necessary and to seek higher ground when possible[3]. The community of Hunt has sustained damage to 40 downed power poles, leading to multi-day power outages for residents[4].
The City of Kerrville is currently relying on well water for the next four weeks and is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to address the situation[5]. Meanwhile, the Kerrville Public Utility Board reports that 600 customers are currently without water[6].
Local organizations are asking for residents to donate blood, as blood drives in the affected areas have been cancelled. South Texas Blood and Tissue is encouraging the public to donate. To schedule an appointment, visit SouthTexasBlood.org or call 210-731-5590[7].
State officials are asking for donations to be coordinated through the American Red Cross[8]. Over 850 uninjured people have been evacuated, and the City of Kerrville Emergency Management has established a Reunification Intake Line for parents of campers unaccounted for at (830) 258-1111[9].
The situation remains critical, with ongoing efforts to locate missing individuals and provide assistance to affected communities. The list of missing children from Camp Mystic includes Margaret Sheedy, Hadley Hannah, Carlos Romero, Greta Toranzo, Bailey Martin & Jayda Floyd, Mary Grace Barker, Anna Margaret Bellows, Cile Steward, Eloise Peck, Lainey Landry, Kellyanne Lytal, Molly Dewitt, Lila Bonner, Linnie McCown, and Virginia Hollis[10].
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice is coordinating operations within the city, focusing on downtown locations for first responders and managing shift cycles[11]. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones are being used in the search and rescue efforts[12].
The mother of missing Camp Mystic camper Janie Hunt, 9, has confirmed her daughter's death[13]. Over 850 people have been rescued, including dozens of children who had been enrolled in summer camps along the river[14].
As the community continues to rebuild, the hope remains for a swift resolution to the missing persons cases and a return to normalcy for the affected families.
[1] ABC News, "Hill Country Flooding: Death Toll Rises to 43, Including 15 Children," July 6, 2025. [2] KSAT 12, "Hill Country Flooding: Rapid and Severe Flooding Makes Identifying Victims Challenging," July 6, 2025. [3] KXAN, "Hill Country Flooding: At Least 50 Dead, Dozens Still Missing," July 6, 2025. [4] Kerrville Daily Times, "Hunt Community Sustains Damage to 40 Downed Power Poles," July 6, 2025. [5] Kerrville Daily Times, "City of Kerrville to Rely on Well Water for Next Four Weeks," July 6, 2025. [6] Kerrville Public Utility Board, "600 Customers Without Water," July 6, 2025. [7] South Texas Blood and Tissue, "Public Encouraged to Donate Blood," July 6, 2025. [8] American Red Cross, "State Officials Ask for Donations to Be Coordinated," July 6, 2025. [9] Kerrville City Emergency Management, "Reunification Intake Line Established," July 6, 2025. [10] Kerrville Daily Times, "List of Missing Children from Camp Mystic," July 6, 2025. [11] Kerrville Daily Times, "Kerrville City Manager Coordinating Operations," July 6, 2025. [12] KSAT 12, "Rescue Teams, Helicopters, and Drones Deployed in Search and Rescue Efforts," July 6, 2025. [13] KXAN, "Mother Confirms Daughter's Death Among Hill Country Flooding Victims," July 6, 2025. [14] ABC News, "Over 850 People Rescued from Hill Country Flooding," July 6, 2025.
In the midst of this tragedy, education-and-self-development plans for the affected children have been put on hold, as the community prioritizes their immediate safety and needs. Additionally, general-news outlets are covering not just the flood aftermath, but also the ongoing criminal investigations into possible structural failures that may have led to the flood's severity, such as those related to crime-and-justice issues like negligent maintenance or inadequate disaster planning.
