Rescuers search for 27 girls missing after deadly Texas flash flood hit Camp Mystic. At least 43 dead as helicopters, boats and drones scour Hill Country.
Deadly Storm Hits Central Texas
A catastrophic flash flood in Kerr County, Texas, has left at least 43 people dead, including 15 children, and 27 girls still missing after a Christian summer camp was destroyed by floodwaters early Friday. The flooding was caused by an eight-metre rise in the Guadalupe River within just 45 minutes—an unprecedented surge that struck before daybreak.
The flood hit Camp Mystic, a century-old summer retreat for girls, as well as other nearby camps and communities in the Texas Hill Country, a region already known as “flash flood alley.”
Search-and-Rescue Efforts Underway
Emergency crews deployed helicopters, boats, drones, and high-water vehicles Saturday in a race to locate survivors. Rescue teams worked around the clock to reach people stranded in trees, on rooftops, and at remote camps cut off by submerged or collapsed roads.
City Manager Dalton Rice of Kerrville confirmed more than 850 people have been rescued since the flooding began, but admitted authorities still couldn’t estimate the full number missing.
Survivors Recount Night of Terror
Campers described terrifying scenes as cabins flooded in the dark. Elinor Lester, 13, said she was woken by rushing water and rescued by helicopter. “They tied a rope for us to cross a bridge with water around our legs,” she recalled.
In the town of Ingram, Erin Burgess clung to a tree with her teenage son for nearly an hour. “My boyfriend and our dog floated away. We found them later,” she said.
At another residence, Barry Adelman said 12 family members—including his 94-year-old grandmother—were forced into an attic as water rose rapidly.
Questions Over Warnings and Preparedness
Although AccuWeather and the U.S. National Weather Service had issued flash flood alerts hours in advance, it remains unclear if camps and local authorities acted quickly enough. Some camps, like Mo-Ranch and Sierra Vista, began moving campers to higher ground the day before. Others, like Camp Mystic, were caught off guard.
Officials acknowledged that the region lacks an early-warning siren system. Kerr County had explored installing one years ago, but cost concerns shelved the project.
Political and Community Response
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared Sunday a statewide day of prayer, promising 24/7 rescue operations. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy called the disaster a “once-in-a-century flood,” while stressing that blame and accountability would be discussed after the recovery.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has launched a relief fund, with CEO Austin Dickson calling the event a “trauma that will define a generation in this region.”
Outlook for Recovery
Recovery operations will continue into the week. Bodies have been recovered from rivers, roads, and homes, and dozens remain unaccounted for. Local funeral homes have received multiple victims. City officials say the next phase is grim but necessary: “We’re shifting from rescue to recovery,” said Kerr County Commissioner Kelly. “It’s going to be a long, toilsome task.”
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