Catastrophic flash flooding along Guadalupe River, Texas

[mountaineer]

Sharing a Facebook post by Texas resident, Christian singer Wayne Watson:

Wayne Watson

Most of you, by now, probably are aware of the horrific toll and loss of life that took place in the Texas hill country on July 4.
Waters of the Guadalupe River rose almost 30 feet in less than an hour.

The last update counted 132 dead and over 100 still missing.

Most of the reports further designate a number of children from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp that had, up until that terrible dark morning (this all started in the dark around 4 AM on July 4th) had been a sort of rite of passage on the journey of faith for many families from all around Texas and beyond.

My church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church will be holding funerals for 4 of the little girls killed in the flood starting today and each day this week.

I can’t imagine.

My dear friend and a spiritual  giant in my life wrote this today and I wanted to share it with you.
____________________
a reflection from Dr. Jim Jackson

The Children Who Died in the Hill Country Floods
The recent Texas Hill Country floods were the worst natural disaster that American has experienced in my lifetime. We have been through many tragic losses—tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires. Each has caused extensive loss of life and property. But none of these have killed so many innocent children. The horror of having so many children washed away is more than my mind can take in.

Since July 4, I have been searching for a metaphor to express my grief. The image that keeps returning to my mind is flowers. Could it be that the lives of the young children taken from us were like outrageously beautiful flowers?

When we examine a flower closely, what do we see? We see its intricate petals, its vibrant color, its graceful form, its fresh fragrance. We are also drawn in by its fragility and vulnerability. We know that the flower will soon wilt and die.

A flower’s worth is not defined by its brief lifespan. In a way, its temporariness intensifies its beauty. And its fragile, fleeting nature teaches us important lessons—that living today is what is important, that life is less safe and permanent that we imagine, and that death is inevitable.

We see in flowers a model for life at its best. Flowers remind us to bloom and flourish where we are planted, even if for only a brief time. They teach us that a life of beauty and meaning is achievable. They prompt us to live with abandon while we are here, rather than cowering in fear of death.

This is why flowers have inspired so many great works of art. Writers like Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot—painters like Claude Monet used flowers to express deep-felt emotions.

Lord, as we remember the children who died in the Hill Country flood, help us to be like the flowers they represented. Help us to live courageously, to grow and flourish, to find meaning in this transitory life, and not to fear death.

[deb]

Sharing a Facebook post by Texas resident, Christian singer Wayne Watson:

Thank you; that was comforting.
The last part about not being afraid of death - 

[mystery-ak]

Heartbreaking indeed...

https://twitter.com/KHOU/status/1945846012293100012

[berdie]

Heartbreaking indeed...

https://twitter.com/KHOU/status/1945846012293100012

 

[Hoodat]

[mystery-ak]

 Only 3 remain missing after July 4 flood in Texas county, authorities say
by Erica Pauda and Julianna Russ - 07/20/25 3:25 PM ET

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After the devastating July 4 flood that happened in Kerr County, Texas, the Kerr County Flood Disaster Joint Information Center confirmed Saturday that only three people remain missing, according to the city of Kerrville.

This comes after the city said in a news release that many people who were initially reported as missing were verified safe and removed from the list.

“This has been an ongoing effort as investigators worked diligently to verify reports of missing persons and confirm their status,” the city said.

In a July 16 update, Kerr County officials said at least 107 people, including 37 children, were killed in Kerr County. In a July 14 update, Gov. Greg Abbott said 97 people were known to be missing in the “greater Kerrville area.”

By Saturday, Kerville officials announced the number of missing people in Kerr County dropped from more than 160 to three, the release said.

“We are profoundly grateful to the more than 1,000 local, state, and federal authorities who have worked tirelessly in the wake of the devastating flood that struck our community,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said in the release. “Thanks to their extraordinary efforts, the number of individuals previously listed as missing has dropped from over 160 to three.”

The city of Kerrville said it worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety to verify the status of each individual reported missing.

“This process takes time, but it is essential to ensure that every lead is thoroughly followed and each person is properly accounted for,” said Kerrville Police Department Public Information Officer Jonathan Lamb. “We understand how critical it is to report this information accurately—not only for the families affected but for the integrity of our emergency response as a whole.

“While the updated figure offers some relief, searchers remain focused on reuniting the three individuals who are still unaccounted for with their families. State and local officials continue to work with urgency and care to locate them, while supporting affected communities through the ongoing recovery process,” Lamb said.

At least 135 people were killed in the catastrophic flash flooding across Texas, with the majority of the deaths confirmed in Kerr County.

Deaths were confirmed in six counties overall, with four still missing in Travis County. Other deaths and people missing were confirmed in Kendall, Burnet, Williamson, and Tom Green counties.

As for Kerrville, officials said recovery operations continued throughout the Guadalupe River Saturday.

“Our thoughts remain with the families still awaiting news, and we will continue to stand with them as efforts persist,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. said in the release.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5410546-only-3-remain-missing-after-july-4-flood-in-texas-county-authorities-say/

[Smokin Joe]

A grim reality is that it has been long enough that some of the missing could be found by smell.
The still missing may be pinned under water by debris or buried in mud.

Of that many, this bespeaks a remarkably effective (and ongoing) recovery effort.
I pray all are accounted for, and for the whole community and the families of the victims.