KERRVILLE, Texas – On July 4, 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered a poignant address in Kerrville to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic flooding that struck the Hill Country.
The event marked a somber reflection as the state remembered the devastating impact of the floods, which claimed over 130 lives after relentless storms unleashed more than 20 inches of rain across Central Texas. Abbott began his speech by honoring 250 years of American independence before transitioning to the tragic anniversary, emphasizing the bravery displayed by Texans during this crisis and labeling it the region’s “darkest Fourth of July.”
During his remarks, Abbott took a moment to read aloud the names of those who lost their lives in the flooding, paying tribute to their memory and the profound loss felt by families and communities.
The flooding disaster unfolded late on July 3, 2025, with the majority of casualties occurring in Kerr County, particularly at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp near Hunt. The Guadalupe River overflowed, resulting in the tragic deaths of 25 campers, two teenage counselors, and the camp’s long-serving director, Dick Eastland.
In the aftermath of the disaster, camp officials initially considered reopening for the 2026 season but ultimately decided against it, withdrawing their application for an operating license. The camp has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing liabilities exceeding $10 million, which has put a halt to ongoing wrongful death and negligence lawsuits initiated by the families of victims.
