Deadly Flash Floods in Texas Leave Children Missing and Communities Devastated
A catastrophic flash flood has swept through central Texas, leaving at least six people dead and dozens more unaccounted for—including children attending a popular summer camp—after torrential overnight rainfall overwhelmed drought-stricken land west of Austin.
Authorities are grappling with a fast-unfolding disaster across Kerr and Kendall counties, where as much as 10 inches of rain fell in just a few hours late Thursday into Friday morning. The deluge caused rivers to surge to historic levels, triggering widespread evacuations, urgent rescue operations, and a rising death toll that may climb further in the coming hours.
Children Missing from Private Girls’ Camp
Among the hardest-hit locations is Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls, where 23 children remain missing. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed during a press briefing that out of the 750 campers present, dozens are unaccounted for. Emergency teams are employing boats and 14 helicopters in the ongoing search.
“We are facing a tragic situation. Some of the victims are children. Some are adults. The number is fluid,” Patrick said. Former President Donald Trump has reportedly been briefed and pledged full federal support, saying, “Whatever we need, we can have.”
Rivers Rise Over 22 Feet Overnight
The Guadalupe River in Kerrville rose more than 22 feet overnight, fueled by runoff from parched soil after a long drought. The rapid surge left residents and officials with no time to prepare or issue widespread evacuation alerts.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported up to 13 fatalities, though the official toll remains uncertain. “These first 24 hours are critical,” emphasized State Senator Pete Flores.
No Advance Warning
“It struck with almost no warning. Radar systems couldn’t capture the extent of what was coming,” said Dalton Rice, city manager of Kerrville. Camps and cabins nestled in the rural Texas Hill Country—a region known for both tourism and flash floods—were hit hard.
Camp Mystic described the flood as “catastrophic,” reporting that the camp's access roads had been destroyed, delaying reinforcements. Families with unaccounted children were being contacted directly. “We are working closely with rescue teams,” the camp noted.
Social Media Flooded with Pleas
Parents and relatives took to social media to post urgent calls for information, hoping to hear from loved ones attending camps during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service in San Angelo issued a dire warning: “Conditions are life-threatening. DO NOT go out onto the roads.” Authorities urged residents near creeks and the Guadalupe River to move to higher ground immediately.
Stories of Survival
Erin Burgess, a resident of Bumble Bee Hills near Ingram, described waking to a nightmare. “It was raining pretty hard, but no big deal,” she said—until water poured in from all directions. She and her 19-year-old son floated to a tree and held on for an hour. “My boyfriend and dog were swept away,” she recalled. Thankfully, all were later found alive.
“The only thing that saved me was hanging on to my son,” she added.
More Rain Expected
With storms forecast to continue through late Friday, especially around Waco, officials fear more flooding in areas downstream from the Hill Country. The weather emergency comes just months after a prolonged drought left the region's soil bone-dry, heightening runoff risks and flash flooding potential.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the same storm system has claimed at least three lives, including two men killed in Plainfield when a tree collapsed onto their vehicle during the storm's peak. In response, local authorities canceled Independence Day events "out of good conscience."
This tragic event highlights the growing risks of climate-driven weather extremes across the U.S. and serves as a reminder of how swiftly nature can turn dangerous.