A man surveys debris along the Guadalupe River after a flash flood struck the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston-area residents are among those reported dead and missing in Central Texas, where flooding on Friday killed at least 68 people, according to local and state officials.
One of the local victims is Jeff Wilson, a longtime Humble ISD teacher who died in the floods, according to a Saturday night social media post by the school district. Wilson spent a combined 30 years as a teacher at Humble High School and Kingwood Park High School, according to Humble ISD, which said Wilson’s wife and son were still considered missing.
“He was a beloved teacher and co-worker to many and will be deeply missed,” the district said.
The death toll as of Sunday included 40 adults and 28 children, and an untold number more were missing, officials in Kerr County said.
One counselor and 10 children from Camp Mystic — a Christian all-girls summer camp in the Texas Hill Country — remained unaccounted for Sunday in the Guadalupe River floods that inundated the area on Independence Day.
The missing girls from the summer camp included 10-year-old Greta Toranzo, a Houston ISD student. Community members held a candlelight vigil for Toranzo on Saturday night.
Another girl missing from Camp Mystic is Molly DeWitt, a student at Wilchester Elementary in Houston, the school announced Saturday in a Facebook post.
Reese Manchaca, a recent graduate of Caney Creek High School in Montgomery County, also is among those missing in the Kerrville area, according to a Saturday social media post by Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough.
“I am heartbroken by the devastating flooding in Kerr County, which has claimed more than 20 lives according to the latest report, including young victims from Houston and left others still missing,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “The City of Houston is doing all we can to support the families and response efforts.”
RELATED: How Houston residents can donate, volunteer to help Texas Hill Country flood victims
In a news release and social media post early Friday night, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said it had been confirmed that at least five of those who died in the floods were from the Houston area. A subsequent statement shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, described as a “correction,” omitted information about local fatalities. A spokesperson for Hidalgo said early Saturday, “we still do not have confirmation on how many of the deceased were Harris County residents.”
“The violent surge of flood waters is something we are all too familiar with,” Hidalgo said in her initial statement Friday. “I pray that emergency personnel are able to promptly find the young girls missing from Camp Mystic. Our Office of Emergency Management stands ready to support in any way needed.”
On Sunday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the death toll from the Guadalupe River flooding had risen to at least 68. Rescue and recovery efforts continued.
The names of those who died in the flooding were not immediately released by state officials. About 850 people had been rescued in the flood waters.
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said in a Saturday afternoon statement that “at least one child” from her Houston-area precinct “has still not been located.”
Several other people from the Houston area were among those missing in Kerr County, according to multiple news reports.
The state of Texas on Friday deployed hundreds of search and rescue personnel and more than a dozen helicopters into the region.
The Houston Fire Department on Friday assisted first responders in the area with rescue efforts. Three HFD firefighters were deployed as part of the Texas A&M Task Force One. The fire department is expected to provide updates as they become available.
“The loss of life and damage to the communities in Central Texas is tragic,” Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz said. “As we so often see help from around the state come to Houston when we face floods, we are proud to be able to support others in their time of need.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated Sunday, July 6, 2025, with new information about victims of the Central Texas floods. It was previously updated Saturday, July 5, 2025, to reflect a statement from Houston Mayor John Whitmire and an amended statement from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.