At least 24 people have died and more than 20 girls remain missing after a catastrophic flash flood swept through Kerr County in south-central Texas. The disaster struck early Friday following torrential overnight rains that caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overwhelming the area near San Antonio and submerging riverside communities.
What Happened at Camp Mystic?
Among the most urgent concerns is the fate of a group of girls attending Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed that “about 23” girls from the camp are still unaccounted for. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha added, “There are kids that are still missing,” emphasizing that up to 25 people could be unaccounted for in total.
Officials clarified that the girls might not be lost but instead stranded without communication. “That does not mean they’ve been lost, they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication,” Patrick explained.
Camp Mystic had approximately 750 children on-site when the flood hit. Rescue trucks have since arrived at the camp to evacuate those stranded.
How Are Authorities Responding?
A large-scale rescue operation involving more than 500 emergency personnel and 14 helicopters has been launched. Texas military officials confirmed that at least 237 people have been rescued or evacuated so far, with 167 air rescues performed by helicopter.
Freeman Martin, director of the state’s public safety department, described the situation as a “mass casualty event,” noting that weather conditions had initially slowed response efforts. “We had a hard time getting in this morning with the weather the way it was,” Martin said. “As the day went on, it picked up and we were able to rescue more and recover more. That will continue tomorrow.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration to mobilize more resources, and President Donald Trump pledged federal support. “Oh yeah, sure, we’ll take care of it. We’re working with the governor,” Trump said.
Governor Abbott also shared dramatic rescue footage on X, showing a victim being airlifted from a treetop as floodwaters surged below. “Air rescue missions like this are being done around the clock. We will not stop until everyone is accounted for,” he posted.
What Are the Risks Going Forward?
Officials are warning of another wave of heavy rains that could impact other counties. Martin stressed, “This is not going to end today.”
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted the community was caught off guard. “We didn’t know this flood was coming,” he said, even though the region is prone to flooding. “This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”
With flood warnings still active, residents have been urged to move to higher ground. Videos on social media show entire homes and trees being swept away, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches of rain overnight, nearly one-third of Kerr County’s annual rainfall.
Flash floods are not new to Texas, but scientists say climate change is making these extreme weather events more intense and frequent. Just weeks ago, 10 people died in San Antonio due to similar flooding. Elsewhere, in New Jersey, a severe storm claimed two more lives after a tree fell on a vehicle.
As rescue teams continue their efforts across Kerr County and beyond, the focus remains on locating the missing and ensuring the safety of everyone affected by this historic flood.
By Yockshard Enyendi
