A deadly flash flood swept through central Texas this week, killing at least 24 people and leaving dozens more missing after torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise dramatically in a matter of minutes.
State and local officials are calling the event a “mass casualty” disaster, with search and rescue operations continuing across the region.
Among the hardest-hit locations is Camp Mystic, a children’s summer camp where officials said between 23 and 25 people remain unaccounted for. Authorities have not released an exact figure of the missing, but the numbers are expected to evolve as rescue teams reach more remote areas.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the latest fatality count during a press conference Friday evening, flanked by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and other state officials.
According to Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, adjutant general for Texas, more than 230 people have been evacuated so far—167 of them by helicopter.
“There wasn’t a drop of rain until the tragedy struck,” said Lt. Gov. Patrick, noting that the Guadalupe River surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes. An emergency alert was issued between 4 and 5 a.m. as the floodwaters rapidly engulfed the region.
Speaking aboard Air Force One late Friday night, President Donald Trump described the situation as “a terrible thing” and pledged federal support to Texas. “It looks like some young people have died,” he said, emphasizing coordination with state leaders to assist with recovery efforts.
River Rose Faster Than Forecasts Predicted
Dalton Rice, city manager of Kerrville, explained how the Guadalupe River reached historic levels. The river, which forms from the convergence of its north and south forks, received far more rain than forecasters had predicted.
“This rain event sat right on top of both forks,” Rice said. “We saw the south fork go from about 7 feet to 29 feet within minutes. All that water came rushing into the main river.”
The National Weather Service confirmed that the river at Hunt reached its second-highest level on record, surpassing the devastating 1987 flood.
Officials noted that although the Texas Division of Emergency Management had been preparing for the storm, rainfall amounts significantly exceeded expectations. Early forecasts had called for up to 8 inches of rain; several areas saw much more.
Officials urged non-residents to avoid the area as conditions remain hazardous. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged the area does not have a warning system and said the severity of the flood came as a shock.
“We had no reason to believe that this would be anything like what has happened here,” Kelly said during an interview with CBS Evening News.
Flash flood emergencies were declared Friday across five counties in West Texas, including parts of Bandera, Kerr, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. Rainfall in some regions totaled between 5 and 11 inches.
Hundreds of personnel from multiple agencies are on the ground conducting search and rescue operations. These include drone teams, high-water vehicles, rescue boats, and seven helicopters equipped for hoist rescues.
Col. Freeman Martin of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that more than 100 troopers were deployed on Friday alone.
During the evening press briefing, Gov. Abbott signed a disaster declaration covering multiple counties, promising that every available state resource would be used.
“We will stop at nothing to make sure that every asset, person, and plane is involved in rescuing those still missing,” Abbott said. “Everyone will be accounted for.”
He also urged residents to heed official warnings and avoid attempting to drive through floodwaters.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz posted a statement to social media on Friday, confirming he had spoken to President Trump and other officials. “President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs,” Cruz wrote.
Holiday Celebration Turns to Horror
In one of the hardest-hit areas, an RV park near a popular restaurant was swept by “raging water,” according to local business owner Lorena Gullen. Vehicles were seen floating downstream, some with people still inside. The tragedy struck as residents were celebrating the Fourth of July.
“You could see vehicles coming from up the river with lights on, and people were honking as they were being swept away,” Gullen told CBS Evening News. “It was impossible to stop.”
Authorities confirmed that dozens of children remain missing from Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls located in the heart of what experts refer to as “flash flood alley.”
Lt. Gov. Patrick addressed parents directly, saying approximately 750 children were attending the camp at the time. “If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,” he said.
A statement from Camp Mystic, read during the briefing, described the situation as a “catastrophic level” of flooding. The camp reported having no power, no water, and no internet. The main highway into the area had washed out, making rescue efforts more difficult.
“Please pray for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic,” Sen. Cruz added.
Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, noted the area’s topography contributes to its vulnerability. “When it rains, water doesn’t soak into the soil. It rushes down the hill,” he told the Associated Press.
Thirteen-year-old Elinor Lester, a camper at Camp Mystic, said she and her cabinmates were airlifted to safety. Her cabin was on high ground, but younger children in lower cabins were among the first to be evacuated.
“The camp was completely destroyed,” she told the AP. “It was really scary. Everyone I know is safe, but there are people missing.”
Her mother, Elizabeth Lester, said her son was at nearby Camp La Junta and also survived. A counselor there saw water rising and helped the boys escape through a window.
Both Camp La Junta and Camp Waldemar posted statements on Instagram confirming that all of their campers and staff were safe.
“My kids are safe,” Elizabeth Lester said, “but knowing others are still missing is just eating me alive.”
