Guadalupe River Flash Flood in Hunt, Texas: Rising Waters, Rising Fear

In Hunt, Texas — where the Guadalupe River forks — more than seven inches of rain fell since Thursday afternoon, marking the heaviest rainfall in the area since the early 1990s.

The deluge caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, cresting over 29 feet before sunrise — the second-highest level ever recorded. Both officials and residents were caught off guard by the intensity and speed of the flooding.

Flood Warnings and Urgent Alerts

The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch advisory on Thursday afternoon for a wide region across Central Texas. As conditions worsened, multiple urgent alerts followed, warning residents to brace for life-threatening flood conditions.

Massive Search and Rescue Efforts

Hundreds of emergency personnel were deployed to search for stranded individuals. The operation included 14 helicopters and ground crews, many of whom struggled to navigate the submerged roads.

Officials warned that the death toll is likely to rise.

“This is a tragic event. It’s going to be a mass casualty event,” said Freeman F. Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, during a press briefing on Friday.

Camp Mystic at the Center

One of the areas most severely affected is Camp Mystic, a nearly 100-year-old Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River. Its historic facilities, including a recreation hall built in the 1920s from local cypress trees, were overwhelmed by the floodwaters.

Officials stated that Camp Mystic is working to contact the parents of campers who remain unaccounted for.

A Painful Reminder of the Past

For long-time residents, the events of Friday brought back haunting memories of July 17, 1987, when a similar flood along the Guadalupe River claimed many lives.

Our hearts are with the survivors, families, and the entire Texas community.
Stay safe. Stay strong.