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Hill Country floods

Photos: After Texas Hill Country flood, grief and recovery take hold

After the tragic flooding in Kerr County, photographs depict a battered but resilient community.

By Texas Tribune Photo Team

July 6, 20256 PM Central

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An aerial view of damage along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville on July 5, 2025. Heavy rains in the Hill Country on July for caused catastrophic flooding and loss of life. — An aerial view of damage along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville on July 5, 2025. Heavy rains in the Hill Country on July 4 caused catastrophic flooding and loss of life. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A destroyed vehicle caught in between trees in Hunt on July 5, 2025. — A destroyed vehicle caught in between trees in Hunt, a small town where the the north and south forks of the Guadalupe River meet, about 13 miles west of Kerrville. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A street sign with directions to Ingram and Leakey is seen fallen over near Hunt, Texas on Saturday June 5 2025. — Toppled trees and debris surround a sign offering directions to the Central Texas towns of Ingram and Leakey. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

Kerville resident Charity Hicks, 38, right, hugs a friend at a food and supply drop off station at Cross Kingdom Church Saturday June 5 2025 in Kerrville, Texas.

(texted Charity about getting the name of the friend, still waiting) — Kerrville resident Charity Hicks, 38, right, hugs a friend at a food and supply drop off station at Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribu

Volunteers help set up a food station at Cross Kingdom Church Saturday June 5 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. — Volunteers help set up a food station at Cross Kingdom Church. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribu

A child cleans off a table at a food and supply drop off station at Cross Kingdom Church Saturday June 5 2025 in Kerrville. — A child cleans off a table at a food and supply drop-off station at Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville on Saturday. Recovery work began immediately in the area, part of the Central Texas Hill Country known as "Flash Flood Alley." Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

Trees fallen due to the water current during the flood in Hunt on July 5, 2025. Search parties made up of volunteers have formed in the area. — Trees fallen due to the water current during the flood in Hunt on July 5, 2025. Search parties have been combing the area looking for survivors or bodies. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A(not sure which agency) member surveys the Guadalupe River below after flash flooding saturday June 5 2025 in Ingram, Texas.

(still not sure which agency) — A helicopter surveys the Guadalupe River above Ingram. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

A small American flag on the trunk of a tree knocked down by the flood along Highway 39 in Ingram. — An American flag is placed on the trunk of a tree knocked down by the flood along HWY 39 in Ingram, just outside of Kerrville. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Campers from Camp Waldemar in Hunt are reunited with their families following a deadly flood at a reunification center at the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville, Texas on July 5, 2025. — Campers from Camp Waldemar in Hunt are reunited with their families at the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville.

Campers from Camp Waldemar in Hunt are reunited with their families following a deadly flood at a reunification center at the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville, Texas on July 5, 2025. — Campers from Camp Waldemar in Hunt are reunited with their families at the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville.

Campers from Camp Waldemar in Hunt are reunited with their families following a deadly flood at a reunification center at the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville, Texas on July 5, 2025. — Campers from Camp Waldemar in Hunt are reunited with their families at the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A destroyed metal canoe is seen laying at Flatrock Park next to the Guadalupe River on Saturday June 5, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. — A destroyed metal canoe next to next to the Guadalupe River at Kerrville's Flatrock Park. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

Governor Greg Abbott signs an emergecy proclaimation during a press confrence at Hill Country Youth Event Center on Saturday June 5, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. — As U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn look on, Gov. Greg Abbott signs an emergency proclamation during a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025. — Aerial view of Camp Mystic, where many children went missing after the flood. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A view of Camp Mystic from the banks across the river after the flood as game wardens search the area and guard the grounds. — Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

State Police Officers search the area around Camp Mystic on July 5, 2025. — A Texas Game Warden searches the area around Camp Mystic on Saturday. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Heart of the Hills Camp for Girls is destroyed by the flood In Hunt on July 5, 2025. — Another camp, the Heart O' the Hills Camp for Girls in Hunt, was heavily damaged by the flood. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A pickup truck on the side of the road on HWY 39 in Hunt has a Texas flag hanging on its side, and the date of the flood is sprary painted on the side. — A pickup truck on the side of the road on Highway 39 in Hunt has a Texas flag hanging on its side with the date of the flood spray-painted on the side. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Community members sort donations to help victims of the flood at the Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville during the first Sunday service after the floods on July 6, 2025. — Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Community members grieve at the Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville during the first Sunday service after the floods on July 6, 2025. — Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Community members grieve at the Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville during the first Sunday service after the floods on July 6, 2025. — Community members grieve at the Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville during the first Sunday service after the floods on July 6, 2025 Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Recreational vehicles destroyed by the flood in Ingram on Monday July 7, 2025. — Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Search teams continue searching for flood victims near Camp Mystic, in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S., July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — Search teams continue searching for flood victims near Camp Mystic, in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County on July 7, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Sergio Flores

Campists' belongings lie on the ground following flooding on the Guadalupe River, at Camp Mystic, Hunt, Texas, U.S. July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — Campists' belongings lie on the ground following flooding on the Guadalupe River at Camp Mystic in Hunt on July 7, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Marco Bello

Candle flames light up the night as community members raise their hands in a moment of silence during a vigil at Travis Park in San Antonio on Monday, July 7, 2025. Organized by Centro San Antonio, the event honored the memory of more than 80 lives lost in the devastating floods that swept across Texas. — Community members raise their candles in a moment of silence for lives lost in the flash floods during a San Antonio vigil on July 7, 2025. Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune

People organize donated supplies for flood relief efforts at the Center Point Independant School District building Tuesday July 8, 2025 in Center Point, Texas. — People organize donated supplies at the Center Point Independent School District building on July 8, 2025. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

Governor Greg Abbott listens to Courtney Calhoun, a Kerr County resident and volunteer, during a press conference in Hunt on Tuesday July 8, 2025. — Governor Greg Abbott listens to Courtney Calhoun, a Kerr County resident and volunteer, during a press conference in Hunt on July 8, 2025. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Volunteers clear debris from the flood as search and recovery efforts continue in Center Point on July 8, 2025. — Volunteers clear flood debris as search and recovery efforts continue in Center Point on July 8, 2025. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

A sheriff deputy looks into a nook under the debris from the flood during search and recovery in Center Point on Tuesday July 8, 2025. — A sheriff deputy looks into a nook under flood debris during search and recovery in Center Point on July 8, 2025. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Law enforcement officials and volunteers clear up mountains of debris deposited by the flood in Center Point on Tuesday July 8, 2025. — Law enforcement officials and volunteers clear up piles of debris deposited by the flood in Center Point on July 8, 2025. Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune

Kerrville Councilmembers and Mayor Joe Herring vote unanimous for an emergency Disaster Declaration during an emegecy city council meeting at Kerrville City Hall at Tuesday July 8, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. — Kerrville council members vote unanimously for an emergency disaster declaration during a city council meeting on July 8, 2025. Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune

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