Texas Flood Tragedy: 24 Dead, 23 Summer Camp Girls Missing as Massive Rescue Mission Unfolds

Catastrophic Texas Floods Leave 24 Dead, 23 Girls Missing from Summer Camp; Massive Rescue Effort Underway.

Severe flash floods swept through Texas Hill Country late Friday night, claiming at least 24 lives and leaving dozens missing, including 23 girls from a summer camp near the Guadalupe River, officials confirmed.

Triggered by torrential overnight rainfall, the Guadalupe River surged nearly 26 feet in under an hour, inundating low-lying areas in Kerr County with little warning. Authorities have described the event as “sudden” and “catastrophic.”

“Some of the victims are adults, some are children,” said Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick during a press briefing. “We still don’t know the origin of all the bodies recovered.”

Among the missing are campers from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located along the riverbank. The camp housed over 700 children when the flooding began. Officials believe some of the missing girls may have taken shelter nearby but remain out of contact.

“They could be in trees, or simply cut off from communication,” Patrick added, stressing the urgency of the situation.

Kerr County authorities have confirmed 24 fatalities. Officials admitted the region lacked a flood warning system, leaving many residents and camps unprepared for the sudden deluge.

“We didn’t have a warning system,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. “We had no idea this flood was coming.”

Rescue Operations in Full Swing
The disaster has displaced numerous families and caused widespread destruction across the area. Emergency crews are racing against time to locate the missing and provide aid to survivors.

More than 400 emergency responders have been deployed, along with 14 helicopters, boats, drones, and specialized rescue teams. The operation involves local law enforcement, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Houston Fire Department, and federal agencies including FEMA.

In response to the crisis, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration and urged residents to avoid floodwaters and follow official safety instructions. “Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and the entire Hill Country,” Abbott said. “The situation remains serious, and public cooperation is crucial.”

The search for the missing campers and flood victims continues under challenging conditions as communities grapple with the scale of the devastation.