Gov. Abbott marks 1 year since deadly Texas floods with Kerrville speech
Abbott speaks in Kerrville to mark 1 year since deadly Texas flooding
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke in Kerrville, Texas, on July 4, 2026, to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly flooding in the Hill Country.
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."
Gov. Abbott speaks at Kerrville day of remembrance
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke in Kerrville on Saturday to mark a year since the deadly Hill Country flooding. More than 130 people were killed across several Central Texas counties when storms dumped more than 20 inches of rain in a matter of hours, starting late July 3, 2025.
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
July 4th deadly Texas floods, one year later
It's been one year since floodwaters swept through Central Texas over the July 4th weekend, claiming the lives of more than 130 people.
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.
The Source: Information in this story came from the governor’s office and previous FOX 7 Austin and FOX Local reporting.