Chilling Footage Shows Deadly Texas Flash Flood Rising in Minutes as Death Toll Climbs to 51
A shocking video has surfaced showing the horrifying speed at which the Guadalupe River surged, turning a festive Fourth of July gathering into a nightmare. Within just 45 minutes, the river swelled 26 feet, overwhelming roads and sweeping through communities in Kerr County, Texas.
What began as a day of celebration quickly spiraled into tragedy. At least 51 people—among them 15 children—have been confirmed dead, according to NBC News.
The disaster struck with little warning, leaving families blindsided. Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a popular summer retreat south of Kerrville, where 750 girls were attending. Now, desperate rescue teams are racing against time, searching for up to 20 missing campers. The flood knocked out water, electricity, and WiFi, leaving the camp isolated and communication nearly impossible.
As the death toll from the devastating Texas flash flood climbs to at least 51—15 of them children—search and rescue teams continue working around the clock to locate up to 20 missing girls from Camp Mystic, now cut off from power, water, and communication.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick attempted to calm fears, noting that the missing children may not be “lost,” but possibly just out of contact due to damaged infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a chilling time-lapse and TikTok video have gone viral, showing just how fast the Guadalupe River turned deadly. In less than an hour, what began as a quiet July 4 celebration became a scene of chaos and destruction.
The TikTok video, posted by @kelseycrowder_, begins at 5:43 p.m. with a family chatting near what looks like a gentle stream. By 6:11 p.m., the water is flowing more rapidly—but two minutes later, it erupts into a violent torrent that swallows the surrounding land and trees. The clip ends at 6:45 p.m., with the roar of a helicopter overhead and the family visibly shaken as the floodwaters rage.
She captioned it simply: “Frio River Flood 2025. NATURE. IS. WILD.”
While the video shocked viewers, it also ignited fierce backlash online. Many criticized the apparent failure of early warning systems, blaming recent cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS).
One commenter wrote, “They got rid of the National Weather System so those alerts that say FLASH FLOOD WARNING were not sent out!” Another added, “Imagine if there was a way to warn people in advance.”
Some turned their frustration toward former President Donald Trump, who had supported budget reductions for the NWS during his administration. “Texas didn’t have a weather advisory because that fool cut the budget of the national weather service,” another post read.
Others questioned why the family in the video didn’t leave earlier as the water rose, while many were simply stunned by the river’s speed and fury.
As the state reels from the tragedy, Governor Greg Abbott has signed an extended emergency declaration, and the NWS has reissued urgent flood advisories across the region.