The devastating floods in Texas have claimed nearly 100 lives.
But the immediate danger isn’t the only threat families are facing.
And experts discovered one hidden danger in Texas floodwaters that has families terrified.
Texas summer camp tragedy exposes deadly threat lurking beneath the surface
The catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, has become a nightmare that no parent should ever have to face.
Ninety-five children and adults are dead, with 10 young campers still unaccounted for after 12 inches of rainfall caused water levels to rise 26 feet.¹
Officials expect the death toll could rise above 100 as search and rescue teams continue their grim work.
But health experts are now warning that the immediate danger of drowning isn’t the only threat these floodwaters pose.
Deadly bacteria and parasites turning floodwaters into a toxic soup
What makes these Texas floods particularly dangerous is what you can’t see lurking beneath the surface.
Health experts told DailyMail.com that the floodwaters are teeming with deadly pathogens that can kill even after the water recedes.
Robert Weitz, principal and founder of environmental testing firm RTK Environmental Group in New York City, explained just how dangerous these waters have become.
"Floodwater is vastly different from recreational water sources like pools or lakes," Weitz told DailyMail.com. "It picks up everything in its path—raw sewage, diesel fuel, debris, storm water runoff, and chemicals—and carries those pollutants into homes, businesses, and streets."²
The expert pointed out that in places like Texas where infrastructure may be strained during heavy storms, sewage overflow becomes a serious health risk.
Among the most dangerous bacteria floating in these contaminated waters are E. coli, salmonella, legionella, and vibrio.
These pathogens collectively account for millions of illnesses in the United States every year.
E. coli comes from animal and human waste and can get into the body through contaminated food, water, or open wounds.
The bacteria triggers stomach infections that cause bloody diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Most people get better without treatment, but roughly 100 Americans die yearly from complications including kidney damage, bacterial toxins, dehydration and sepsis.
The O157:H7 strain of E. coli was linked to the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder outbreak last year, which sickened 100 people, hospitalized 34 and killed one.
Flesh-eating bacteria poses deadly threat to flood victims
One of the most terrifying dangers lurking in Texas floodwaters is Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacteria that can lead to necrotizing fasciitis.
This condition is also known as "flesh-eating disease," a severe bacterial infection that spreads quickly and kills healthy tissues.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 700 to 1,150 cases of necrotizing fasciitis in the United States every year.
It kills one in five patients.
Weitz warned that these bacteria originate from raw sewage and can enter the body through open cuts, the eyes, nose, or mouth, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then your face.
"Once inside the body, these bacteria can cause a variety of illnesses, including gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, and in some cases, more serious health issues," Weitz explained.³
Houston-based attorney Jory Lange, who specializes in food and water safety cases, also pointed to Legionella, which live in lakes and streams.
"Legionella are bacteria. Inhaled through contaminated water droplets, they essentially cause pneumonia in the lungs called Legionnaires disease between two to 14 days after exposure," Lange told DailyMail.com.⁴
He estimates Legionnaires’ disease kills one in 10 patients and is "especially dangerous for those who are older, who are immunocompromised and anyone who is a current or former smoker."
Legionnaires’ strikes 8,000 to 10,000 Americans yearly and kills roughly 1,000.
Parasites add another layer of danger for flood victims
The contaminated floodwaters also contain parasites that can cause severe illness.
Lange pointed to the parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which both can be found in floodwaters.
Giardia causes the gastrointestinal illness giardiasis, which strikes 1.2 million Americans per year.
The risk of death is extremely low, but it can lead to diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue and nausea up to 25 days after initial infection.
Cryptosporidium lives in infected human and animal waste and causes cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease that can cause dangerous dehydration.
Nearly 750,000 Americans get sick from it every year.
"Most of these parasites cause symptoms similar to food poisoning but are not often caught because lab testing is needed to diagnose," Lange explained.⁵
Young children like those at Camp Mystic are the most vulnerable to these parasites, with some infections killing up to one in five patients.
Experts urge immediate action to prevent illness
Health experts are encouraging people exposed to flooding to steer clear of the water and wear protective gloves and boots to avoid water getting into open wounds.
They also urged anyone experiencing symptoms like vomiting, shortness of breath, fever or altered mental status to seek help immediately.
Weitz said the risk of illness is highest after flooding "when cleanup isn’t done quickly and thoroughly."
"The most important steps are to act quickly and clean thoroughly. First, remove the water and dry out affected areas with fans and dehumidifiers," Weitz advised.⁶
He recommended discarding any wet items that can’t be properly cleaned, like carpets, makeup, toys, and cardboard boxes.
Weitz also suggested having professional mold and bacteria testing done on property affected by flooding.
"Without testing, you can’t know what contaminants may be present," Weitz said.
Lange emphasized the importance of protective gear when dealing with flood cleanup.
"Wearing protective gear is always a good idea when it comes to any pathogen. If there is exposure, handwashing and sanitizing clothing, surfaces should be done quickly and often," Lange told DailyMail.com.⁷
He also warned that if there are wounds, they should be washed and disinfected immediately and people should get medical help right away.
Texas families face long road to recovery
The tragic deaths at Camp Mystic have shaken Texas families to their core.
Eight-year-old twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were among those who lost their lives in the devastating floods.
Their deaths serve as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly natural disasters can turn deadly.
As search and rescue teams continue their work along the Guadalupe River, the hidden dangers in the floodwaters add another layer of concern for families trying to recover.
The contaminated water doesn’t just pose an immediate threat during the flooding.
It can continue to cause illness and death long after the water recedes if proper cleanup and safety measures aren’t taken.
This disaster shows how important it is for families to understand the full scope of dangers that flooding can bring to their communities.
¹ DailyMail.com, "Experts issue urgent warning over the ‘hidden’ risk of Texas floods," July 7, 2025 ² Ibid. ³ Ibid. ⁴ Ibid. ⁵ Ibid. ⁶ Ibid. ⁷ Ibid.
