Kerrville: A devastating flash flood swept through south-central Texas early Friday, killing at least 24 people and leaving more than 20 girls missing from a summer camp near the Guadalupe River, officials said.
The flooding began before dawn on July 4 after nearly 12 inches of rain fell across Kerr County, a rural area known for its popular Christian summer camps. The Guadalupe River rose over 26 feet in just 45 minutes, submerging roads, sweeping away cabins, and prompting a major rescue operation still underway Saturday morning.
Authorities confirmed that 23 to 25 girls remain unaccounted for from Camp Mystic, an all-girls camp located near the town of Hunt, west of Kerrville. The missing campers are believed to have been housed in cabins situated along the riverbanks, which were among the first structures hit by the floodwaters.
Also Read: Kerr County Tragedy: Texas Flooding Kills 24; Children Swept Away at Summer Camp
Search and Rescue Operations Continue
Emergency crews, including Texas Game Wardens and National Guard helicopters, began airlifting stranded campers from higher ground after sunrise Friday. So far, more than 230 individuals have been rescued from various parts of Kerr County, including nearby camps and mobile home parks.
“We’re still in active search mode,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters Friday evening. “There are families waiting for answers, and we’re doing everything we can to find these girls.”
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick urged the public to pray for the missing, calling the situation “heartbreaking” and “urgent.” Camp Mystic, which hosts around 750 campers each summer, issued an email to parents assuring that if they had not been contacted directly, their child had been accounted for.
My heart feels so heavy right now.
As of 3:30 PM on July 4th, 23 children remain missing at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, along the Guadalupe River.
Please keep these kids, their families, everyone impacted by the flooding, and all the brave first responders in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/NMeykdeWL7
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores4TX) July 5, 2025
Words cannot begin to describe how heartbroken I am to report this.
The bodies of multiple children from Camp Mystic have now been recovered from the floods here in Texas.
I’ve been sitting on this news for a few hours so that families could be notified.
There are still 20… pic.twitter.com/JiSziRTJ1w
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 5, 2025
JUST IN 🚨 The family of missing Camp Mystic girl Renee Smajstrla gives everyone a very sad update:
“Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for”
This picture was taken yesterday. I am absolutely heartbroken. RIP Renee 🙏 pic.twitter.com/81eK76tGnm
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) July 5, 2025
🚨 Tragedy in Texas: Flash floods along the Guadalupe River have claimed 13 lives. 23 young Christian girls from Camp Mystic are still missing. 💔
These are children—daughters, sisters, friends. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mNGNCPyD6G
— Manni (@ThadhaniManish_) July 5, 2025
Please pray for these girls safety: 9-year-old Lainey Landry from the Houston area is among the 20 campers Lt.Governor Dan Patrick said are still unaccounted for from the flooding at Camp Mystic in Central Texas. pic.twitter.com/sBBm46DteL
— Merissa Hansen (@merissahansen17) July 4, 2025
Families Await Reunions at Emergency Center
An elementary school in Ingram has been converted into a reunification center. On Friday afternoon, hundreds of families gathered as buses carrying rescued campers arrived. Tearful reunions unfolded on the school’s courtyard as others waited anxiously for updates on children still missing.
Elizabeth Lester, whose 13-year-old daughter was among those rescued, described the camp’s condition as “completely destroyed.”
“She had no food, no power, and tied herself to a rope with others to cross a flooded bridge,” Lester said. “My daughter is home, but some of her friends still aren’t.”
ATTENTION 🚨 These two girls from Camp Mystic have NOT been found and the families want to be contacted with any tips if you see them
Let’s Make this VIRAL on 𝕏. Please Pray for these two angels 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Cu9WG2VCZU
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) July 5, 2025
Camp La Junta and Camp Waldemar, also located along the Guadalupe River, reported no casualties. Both camps confirmed all campers and staff had been accounted for via social media.
Flood-Prone Region Faces Repeat Tragedy
The Texas Hill Country, often referred to as “flash flood alley,” is one of the most flood-vulnerable regions in the United States due to its rocky soil and steep terrain. In 1987, a similar tragedy unfolded nearby when 10 children drowned after their church camp bus was caught in rising floodwaters near Comfort, Texas.
Friday’s flooding, officials said, surpassed projections. While the National Weather Service had forecast 3 to 6 inches of rain, several areas received nearly a foot.
“The land couldn’t absorb anything,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. “The water just cascaded into the river.”
State and Federal Response Activated
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for Kerr County and surrounding areas. FEMA is coordinating with local officials on damage assessments and may soon open emergency assistance applications for affected families.
Real-time flood maps from state emergency services show multiple highways and roads closed in Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt. Authorities are urging residents to avoid all low-water crossings and continue monitoring alerts.
