Dan Beazley, of Michigan, left, reacts as he holds a large cross with Abigail Smithson during a vigil for flooding victims at Tivy Antler Stadium on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Attendees hold their hands in prayer as they sing during a vigil for flooding victims at Tivy Antler Stadium on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Kate McKee, right, a teacher at Hal Peterson Middle School, hugs an attendee during a vigil for flooding victims at Tivy Antler Stadium on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Mourners from Kerrville, Julia Mora embraces her granddaughter, Isla Meyer during a vigil for flood victims on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Photos of the Zunker family hang on a memorial wall of flowers for flood victims on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Several hundred people gathered at Tivy High School’s stadium in Kerr County, Texas, to mourn the victims of the catastrophic flash floods that hit the region and to honor the many still missing. The vigil Wednesday included tributes to Camp Mystic, where 27 campers and counselors died.

Hundreds gathered in Kerrville for a vigil honoring Hill Country flood victims, uniting in grief and support.

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KERRVILLE, Texas — It was a night of tears, prayers, and powerful unity.

In the heart of Kerrville, hundreds gathered Thursday evening for a community vigil honoring the victims of the catastrophic Hill Country flooding — a disaster that has already claimed at least 103 lives in Kerr County, with more than 100 still missing.

Along Water Street, a flower-covered fence became a sacred space. Photos of victims—young and old—lined the wall, forming a growing memorial that offered both heartbreak and healing.

“I’m sad because all those people on the wall died,” said little Emma, who traveled to the vigil with loved ones from Fredericksburg.

The vigil drew families who lost loved ones, those still searching, and others simply mourning alongside their neighbors. Churches across denominations came together in worship and solidarity. Therapy animals, including a goat and a high-energy miniature Australian shepherd named Chrissy, moved through the crowd, offering silent comfort.

“[Chrissy] doesn’t solve a problem,” said Al Walea of CARE Crisis Animal Response Team, “but she brings joy at a time when it’s desperately needed.”

Green ribbons fluttered in honor of Camp Mystic, where several victims were connected. Pastors shared prayers and offered a space for people to speak their grief aloud.

“It’s the most miraculous demonstration of unity we see in this community,” said Bishop-elect Marc Steele of St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in Kerrville. “We’re really joined in this sorrow and grief together.”

Just two miles away, artist Roberto Marquez built a second memorial — a line of crosses representing each life lost. Marquez, who’s created similar memorials after the Uvalde school shooting and the San Antonio migrant tragedy, said he began placing crosses alone, but quickly found he wasn’t building in solitude for long.

“Then someone came and joined us. Then two more. Finally, it was a group of 8 to 10 people,” he said. “It becomes a place of reunion.”

Marquez recalled neighbors stopping by to talk, share stories, and ask for crosses of their own. One man said seven bodies were found on his property.

“All these families going through these difficult moments will know they’re not alone,” Marquez said.

As night fell, candles flickered in front of the memorial wall, casting a soft glow on the names and faces of the departed. In a time of immense pain, Kerrville found strength in one another.

“I like that everyone’s just coming in. It doesn’t matter if one of their family members are on the wall or not. They’re coming to pray for all those people,” said little Kaylee, who joined Emma and Sadie at the vigil.

“I hope they’re all with the Lord,” said Sadie.

Several hundred people have gathered in Tivy Antler Stadium in Texas to mourn the many lives lost and pray for those still missing from the catastrophic flash floods that battered the state over the United States July Fourth holiday.

The vigil, held on Wednesday in Kerrville – one of the worst-affected areas – brought together grieving families, local clergy, and volunteers. “Our communities were struck with tragedy literally in the darkness,” youth minister Wyatt Wentrcek told the crowd. “Middle of the night.”

At least 120 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 160 still unaccounted for, making it the deadliest inland flooding in the US since 1976. No survivors have been found since Friday.

Blue shirts bearing the school’s slogan, Tivy Fight Never Die, and green ribbons for Camp Mystic – a century-old all-girls Christian camp where at least 27 campers and counsellors died – were worn by many attendees. Officials said five campers and one counsellor from the camp remain unaccounted for.

Ricky Pruitt of the Kerrville Church of Christ addressed the crowd, noting the emotional weight of holding the vigil at a stadium more often used to celebrate sporting triumphs. “Tonight is very different than all of those nights,” he said, as reported by The Associated Press.

People attend a Catholic rosary service for the Texas flood victims at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerr County, Kerrville, Texas, USA, July 8, 2025 [Dustin Safranek/EPA]

As mourners held each other and wiped their tears, search crews continued scouring the Guadalupe River – on foot, horseback, and by air – for those still missing. Search dogs were deployed to sniff through trees and piles of debris. Officials admitted hope of finding survivors had all but faded, with efforts now focused on giving families closure.

Worst flood in 50 years

Meteorologist Bob Henson said the disaster ranks as the most lethal inland flood in nearly five decades, surpassing the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado, which killed 144.

Governor Greg Abbott said many of those who were in the Hill Country during the holiday were never formally registered at a camp or hotel, making it harder to account for everyone.

He has faced growing criticism over the state’s flood preparedness, with many asking why warnings were delayed and evacuation measures insufficient.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha assured residents that accountability would come but said the immediate priority remains to recover the missing.

Abbott has urged state legislators to approve a new flood warning system and boost emergency communication networks. He is pushing for the issue to be addressed during a special legislative session already scheduled to begin on July 21. He also called for financial aid to support recovery efforts.

For years, local officials have debated installing a flood siren system, but concerns over cost and noise meant the idea was shelved – a decision now under intense scrutiny.

US President Donald Trump has pledged full federal support and is expected to visit the affected areas on Friday.