Texas Flash Floods Kill 24, Over 20 Campers Still Missing as Overnight Search Intensifies
Rescue efforts continue across Kerr County after torrential rains triggered devastating flash floods, leaving at least 24 dead and more than 20 girls still unaccounted for from a nearby summer camp.
Catastrophic Flooding Hits Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country was rocked by deadly flash floods on the Fourth of July, with rainfall levels described by officials as a once-in-a-century event. The sudden downpour caused rivers to rise at alarming speeds, sweeping through towns and rural campsites in Kerr County.
More than 230 people have been rescued or evacuated, many by helicopter, as floodwaters surged through neighborhoods and popular summer destinations.
Among the most urgent efforts is the search for over 20 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas. The river reportedly rose more than 20 feet in under two hours.
Residents and Campers Caught Off Guard
Many residents and campers were caught by surprise as waters rose rapidly during the early morning hours.
“We had to drive over live power lines to get out because the only other way was underwater,” Kerrville resident Candice Taylor told CNN affiliate KENS. She rejected the notion that people had adequate warning:
“Anybody who says, ‘This was forecasted. Why didn’t you watch the news?’ — that’s callous.”
Local fisherman Zerick Baldwin echoed her sentiment, grateful he had canceled a camping trip the night before:
“If I would’ve slept in my truck or something, I would have been gone… The waters came so quickly.”
The Latest: Death Toll Rises, Search Expands
State officials provided an update Friday night as search and rescue teams continued working through the night:
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Death toll: At least 24 confirmed dead in Kerr County. Officials have yet to release identities or a full count of the missing.
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Camp Mystic campers: Over 20 girls from the riverside camp remain unaccounted for. Other nearby camps reported no missing persons.
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Rescues: 237 individuals rescued so far, according to Major General Thomas M. Suelzer of the Texas Military Department. Over two-thirds were airlifted by helicopter.
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Search efforts: At least 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and more than 500 personnel are involved. Some individuals were rescued from trees.
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Overnight operations: Search crews, aided by helicopters equipped with infrared technology, are operating through the night and into Saturday morning.
Families Desperate for News
The lack of information has left many families in anguish. Some parents have taken to social media, posting photos of their children in hopes of receiving any updates.
Two mothers interviewed by CNN said they are still waiting to hear if their daughters survived.
Weather Warnings Fell Short
Although a flood watch was issued Thursday afternoon for Kerr County, officials say the National Weather Service did not anticipate the extreme volume of rainfall that would follow.
At 4:03 a.m. Friday, a flash flood emergency warning was issued, followed by a “particularly dangerous situation” alert for Kerrville at 5:34 a.m.
Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said:
“The forecast did not predict the amount of rain we saw.”
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly added:
“We’ve had floods before… but we had no reason to believe this would be anything like what happened here.”
Federal Response Underway
President Donald Trump said Friday evening that the federal government is coordinating with Texas officials on the emergency response.
“We’ll take care of them,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. “The flooding is terrible and shocking.”
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration, ensuring additional resources are available for response and recovery.
What’s Next?
Governor Abbott confirmed that search operations will continue nonstop, emphasizing the use of advanced night-time aerial technology to locate potential survivors.
“They will continue in the darkness of night… They will be nonstop, seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for,” he said.
As the sun rises over central Texas, rescue teams remain in crisis mode — working tirelessly to locate the missing and support affected families.
Source: CNN – Death toll from Texas floods rises to 24 as search underway for more than 20 girls unaccounted for
