The heart of Texas has been struck by a catastrophic tragedy, with at least 24 lives lost and more than 20 young girls missing after relentless torrential rains led to devastating floods. These girls were staying at the Christian retreat, Camp Mystic, located along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, roughly 60 miles northwest of San Antonio. They were part of a group of 750 attendees at the summer camp.
Reports indicate that the Guadalupe River surged nearly 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping away cabins and mobile homes where many were enjoying the 4th of July holiday. Bridges and roads did not escape the destruction either.
Describing the event as unprecedented, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick stated, “In the span of just 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet, resulting in a devastating flood that took both property and, tragically, lives.” The Texas National Guard has been actively involved in conducting numerous rescues and evacuations. Their personnel, alongside volunteer rescuers, helicopters, and drones, are racing against time to locate the missing girls.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the girls are indeed lost or merely out of contact, as the camp currently lacks electricity, water, and internet connectivity. "The road has been washed away, making it challenging to receive additional aid," stated the isolated camp staff.
The local sheriff's office has urged residents to move to higher ground due to the threat of further flooding. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency encompassing 15 counties in central Texas. President Donald Trump described the disaster as "shocking" and assured full federal support for rescue and recovery efforts. "We will take care of them. We're working with the governor. It's a terrible situation," he remarked to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to his club in New Jersey.
This disaster's severity surpasses that of the 1987 floods, which resulted in the deaths of 10 teenagers in a school bus near the same area. Local officials, including County Judge Rob Kelly, acknowledged that there was no time to evacuate as "no one knew this flood was coming." However, Kelly admitted that the region lacks an early warning system.
As the search continues and the numbers may rise, authorities have requested that non-residents refrain from traveling to the affected area to avoid disrupting emergency operations.
Key Questions About the Texas Floods
What is being done to locate the missing girls?
The Texas National Guard, along with volunteer rescuers, are utilizing helicopters and drones in a concerted effort to find the missing girls, working tirelessly to overcome the challenging conditions.
How has the local government responded to the floods?
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a state of emergency for 15 central Texas counties, and local authorities are urging residents to move to higher ground while coordinating with federal agencies for disaster response.