At least 24 people are dead after devastating flash flooding swept through south-central Texas early Friday, officials confirmed. The deluge, caused by torrential overnight rainfall, has also left more than 20 girls at a summer camp still unaccounted for, prompting massive search and rescue operations.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha stated at an evening press conference that “at this point, we’re at about 24 fatalities,” warning that the death toll was likely to rise. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed that some of the deceased were children.
“About 23” girls are among those missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls situated along the Guadalupe River. Patrick reported that the river surged an astonishing 26 feet (eight meters) in just 45 minutes overnight. He clarified that “that does not mean they’ve been lost, they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication,” offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. The camp, which was hosting approximately 750 campers over the July 4 holiday weekend, “sustained catastrophic level of flooding,” according to a message from its director read by Patrick. The camp currently has “no power, water or Wi-Fi,” severely complicating communication and rescue efforts.
Massive rescue operations are underway to locate the missing girls and other stranded residents. Trucks have reportedly reached the campsite to begin evacuating people on Friday evening. State and local officials have strongly advised residents against traveling to the affected area, which includes numerous campgrounds dotted along the river, as dozens of roads remain “impassable.”
Videos circulating on social media depict houses and trees being swept away by the raging floodwaters. The flash flood was triggered by heavy overnight rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches – an amount equivalent to one-third of Kerr County’s average annual rainfall. Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared a dramatic video on X (formerly Twitter) of a victim being rescued from the top of a tree by a rescuer dangling from a helicopter, with floodwaters roaring below.
Officials noted that the extreme flooding struck before dawn with little or no warning, preventing authorities from issuing advance evacuation orders. Over 400 emergency personnel are on the ground, supported by nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones, diligently conducting rescues from trees and swift-flowing water. The situation remains highly active, and authorities continue to work towards identifying the victims.
*
Email *
Website
