In 1987, sudden and intense rainfall caused the river to surge at an unprecedented rate in mid-July, leading to a tragedy that killed 10 campers at Pot O' Gold Christian Camp, a summer camp near Comfort, Texas. The campers drowned when their bus attempted to evacuate them and was overtaken by floodwater.

Rescuers searched for survivors at Camp Mystic on the bank of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, after deadly floods swept through the area on July 4.