These graphics show the scope of Texas’ Hill Country floods

(Credit: Illustration by Carla Astudillo / Photo by Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune)

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Over the July Fourth weekend, the Texas Hill Country experienced catastrophic flooding that killed more than 100 people, left more than 160 others missing and caused widespread damage. One of the hardest hit areas was the town of Kerrville, where the nearby Guadalupe River rose rapidly early in the morning on July 4.

Outside Kerrville is Camp Mystic, which has been a summertime Christian haven for generations of Texas girls. The camp was hit hard by the floods. Officials say more than 20 campers and counselors died.

Camp Mystic is not the only camp along the river. The area is dotted with camps serving school-aged children.

The camp complex, which sits along the Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek, sat on a known flood plain. Several other camps along the river are also in high-risk flood zones.

Many of the camps are in unincorporated areas and not subject to the same development rules found in cities. That said, cities and counties do have the authority to regulate what can be built in a designated flood plain.

The flood surges during the July Fourth storm were historic. In Kerrville, the Guadalupe River reached its highest level since 1987.

A similar disaster played out in the surrounding areas. In Hunt, the river reached its highest point since at least 1966. The community of Comfort, which is east of Kerrville, saw its highest flood surge since 1978.

Texas is particularly prone to these events, with more than 12% of the state’s land subject to flooding, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Floods typically cost billions of dollars in damage.

When compared to other states, Texas has recorded the most flood-related deaths. Over the last decade, the number of deaths in Texas was almost twice as high as the second highest state, North Carolina.

Here is our guide on how to help those affected by the floods.

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