On August 8, 2025, the Hill Country community of Kerr County, Texas, was confronted with the full, heartbreaking reality of the catastrophic floods that swept through the region on July 4. Authorities, including the Texas Rangers and local officials, released the names of 117 people confirmed dead and two who remain missing after the Guadalupe River surged to unprecedented levels, transforming a day of celebration into one of the darkest chapters in Texas’ recent history.
The human toll is staggering and deeply personal. The official list, made public on Friday, includes the names of neighbors, friends, and entire families—many of them children attending summer camp along the river’s banks. Among the deceased are Reece Zunker, the boys’ soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville, his wife Paula, their three-year-old daughter Holland, and their seven-year-old son Lyle. Their loss, like so many others, has sent shockwaves through a town already reeling from tragedy. According to The Houston Chronicle, the victims ranged in age from just one year old to 91, with multiple family units lost in the disaster.
“As the Texas Rangers formally release the names of those lost in the July 4 floods, we are reminded once more of the lives forever changed by this tragedy,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly declared in a moving joint statement, as reported by KSAT and The Dallas Morning News. “These names are not new to our community; they are our family, friends and neighbors, and they are forever engraved in our hearts.”
The flood’s devastation was most acute along the Guadalupe River, where the water rose more than 30 feet in the early morning hours, overwhelming the Camp Mystic summer camp for girls and other riverside areas. More than two dozen campers and staff perished at the camp alone, a loss that has left families and friends across Texas and beyond grappling with an unfathomable grief. The list of the dead includes 15 people from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, 25 from Southeast Texas, 12 from Houston, and 10 from San Antonio. Eight victims hailed from outside Texas, including Alabama, California, and Florida, according to The Houston Chronicle.
“Our search is not over. Two families are still waiting to bring their loved ones home,” Herring and Kelly emphasized, speaking to the ongoing efforts to locate Jeffrey Ramsey, 63, of Lewisville, and Cecilia Steward, 8, of Austin. Their names, too, were included in the list released by the Texas Rangers, a somber reminder that for some, closure remains elusive. “We ask for your continued prayers for the affected families, our community, all the dedicated first responders who have not given up, and for all those supporting recovery efforts.”
Kerrville, the largest city in Kerr County, sits about 100 miles west of Austin and 65 miles northwest of San Antonio. The town, usually known for its tranquil riverside vistas and summer camps, became the epicenter of one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Texas history. The National Weather Service recorded the Guadalupe River reaching critical flood stages at multiple locations, overwhelming even seasoned emergency planners with the speed and ferocity of the rising water.
As the community mourns, questions have surfaced about the preparedness and communication of local officials during the disaster. According to The Dallas Morning News, authorities in Kerr County have faced scrutiny over their emergency response. Some residents and observers have raised concerns about whether warnings came soon enough and if evacuation protocols were adequate for the thousands of campers and residents along the river’s course. While officials have acknowledged the challenges, they have also pointed to the unprecedented nature of the event and the heroic efforts of first responders who risked their lives in the rescue and recovery operations.
Federal support has begun to arrive in the wake of the tragedy. On Friday, federal officials announced nearly $30 million in aid and loans from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration to help individuals and businesses recover from the devastation. This financial assistance, while crucial, can only go so far in addressing the profound emotional and psychological wounds left by the disaster.
The names released by the Texas Rangers and Kerr County officials tell a story not just of loss, but of community. Many of the victims were among the camp’s youngest attendees, children whose lives were cut short in a place meant for joy and friendship. The tragedy has also highlighted the interconnectedness of Texas communities: families from across the state—and even the nation—were affected, with relatives, friends, and neighbors joining together in mourning and remembrance.
In their joint statement, Mayor Herring and Judge Kelly sought to rally the community, underscoring the resilience that has long defined Kerrville and Kerr County. “The City of Kerrville and Kerr County are strong and resilient. In unity, we find strength; in compassion, we find healing; and in resolve, we find the will to carry on.” Their words, echoed in news outlets across Texas, have become a touchstone for those seeking hope amid heartbreak.
The list of the dead, published in local and state media, reads as a somber roll call: Carol Andrews, 65, of Athens; Mary Baker, 8, of Beaumont; Anna Bellows, 8, of Houston; John Burgess, 39, and his family of Liberty; Molly Dewitt, 9, of Houston; Blair Harber, 13, of Dallas; and so many more. Each name represents a life, a family, a story abruptly ended by the floodwaters.
For those still searching for answers—and for loved ones—the work continues. “Our search is not over,” Herring and Kelly reiterated. The community’s focus remains on supporting the bereaved, aiding those who lost homes and livelihoods, and ensuring that lessons are learned to better prepare for future emergencies.
As the sun sets over the Hill Country, the scars left by the July 4 flood are visible everywhere: in the battered landscape, in the empty cabins of summer camps, and in the faces of those left behind. Yet, as Kerrville and Kerr County look to the future, the spirit of unity and compassion invoked by local leaders offers a glimmer of hope. The tragedy has forever altered the fabric of the community, but it has also revealed the depth of its strength—and the enduring bonds that tie Texans together, even in their darkest hours.