News about Texas • flooding

Although the U.S. Geological Survey has recorded the river flooding more than a dozen times since 1978, the Independence Day 2025 flood is among the worst in its history. The USGS recorded the Guadalupe River's discharge peaking at a staggering 111,000 cubit feet per second at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Flash floods occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 30 feet or more.

Ten campers and their 19-year-old counselor are among those still missing from Camp Mystic, where 27 died in one of the deadliest U.S. floods in decades.