Gov. Abbott marks 1 year since deadly Texas floods with Kerrville speech

KERRVILLE, Texas - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke in Kerrville on Saturday to mark one year since the deadly Hill Country flooding that claimed 136 lives across Central Texas.

Abbott also read the names of the victims, saying they "must never be forgotten."

The governor began his remarks by recognizing America's 250th anniversary before reflecting on the tragedy, calling the flooding the Hill Country's "darkest Fourth of July."

"One year ago, on this very holiday, the waters rose in record numbers, and the Hill Country faced its darkest Fourth of July," Abbott said.

He spoke about the resilience of the community and the Texans who came together in the aftermath, saying the region's strength remains "as enduring as the American promise itself."

The backstory:

A year ago, a catastrophic storm dumped more than 20 inches of rain across Central Texas in just a matter of hours, causing the Guadalupe River to surge approximately 26 feet in 45 minutes.

The flooding killed 136 people across the region, ranging in age from 1 to 91 years old.

The deadliest losses occurred in Kerr County, particularly at Camp Mystic near Hunt. The rapidly rising Guadalupe River inundated the all-girls Christian summer camp, killing 25 campers, two teenage counselors and longtime camp director Dick Eastland.

One year later

It has been one year since floodwaters swept through Central Texas over the Independence Day weekend, leaving behind one of the deadliest weather disasters in modern Texas Hill Country history.

Following months of legislative scrutiny, Camp Mystic withdrew its application to operate for the 2026 summer season and later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities as it faces mounting wrongful death lawsuits from victims' families.

Less than three months after the disaster, Texas lawmakers approved sweeping flood safety reforms, creating some of the nation's strictest campground safety and flood mitigation requirements. The new laws are intended to improve public safety, though some camp operators have warned the new mandates carry significant financial challenges.

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