Texas Flash Floods Dead 24 and 23 Girls Missing After Summer Camp Disaster, ⛈️ Torrential Rains Hit Texas Without Warning
In a tragic turn of events, sudden and heavy rainfall caused deadly flash floods in Kerr County, Texas, early Friday morning. The disaster has taken the lives of at least 24 people, and dozens more are still missing — including 23 young girls who were staying at a nearby summer camp. According to local officials, the flooding came with little to no warning, catching residents off guard in the early hours before sunrise.
Meteorologists from the U.S. National Weather Service reported that up to 300mm (12 inches) of rain fell in a short time, triggering a flash flood emergency. The affected area lies about 105 km (65 miles) northwest of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country. The rain came down fast and hard, overwhelming rivers and drainage systems and turning quiet communities into scenes of destruction.
City Manager Dalton Rice of Kerrville, the county seat, explained that the storm’s sudden arrival left no time for warnings or evacuations. “This happened very quickly, over a very short period of time that could not be predicted, even with radar,” he said. “It caught everyone by surprise and gave us no time to react.”
🏕️ Summer Camp Disaster: Dozens of Children in Danger
One of the most heartbreaking parts of the story involves an all-girls Christian summer camp situated along the banks of the Guadalupe River — a river that turned deadly overnight. According to Texas officials, between 23 to 25 campers are still unaccounted for. These young girls were among more than 700 children enjoying summer activities when the flash floods tore through the area at approximately 4 a.m. local time.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said during a press briefing, “That does not mean they’ve been lost; they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication.” His statement offered a glimmer of hope, but the fear and worry among families waiting for news are unimaginable.
The camp’s director released a message stating the site had suffered a “catastrophic level of flooding.” There is no power, no water, and no internet connection at the location, which has made coordination and communication extremely difficult for both staff and emergency services. As rescuers work around the clock, families of the missing children are praying for a miracle.
🚁 Massive Rescue Efforts: Helicopters, Drones, and Ground Teams
State and local rescue teams launched a large-scale search and rescue operation almost immediately after the flooding hit. Fourteen helicopters, a dozen drones, and hundreds of emergency workers are involved in the mission to save as many lives as possible. Many people were rescued from trees, rooftops, and even from inside fast-moving water.
Officials described the disaster as a “mass casualty event.” The river, swollen with rainwater, rose by a shocking 8 meters (26 feet) in just 45 minutes — a rise so quick that many people had no chance to get to safety. Trees, cars, and entire buildings were swept away, as shown in shocking videos posted across social media.
Dan Patrick made a heartfelt plea to the people of Texas: “I’m asking everyone to do some serious praying this afternoon. On-your-knees kind of praying, that we find these young girls.” The emotional tone reflected the urgency and heartbreak shared across the state.
Local authorities say some of the victims include adults, but many are children. In several cases, it’s still unclear where the bodies were found or if they belonged to local residents or visitors. Search teams are working day and night to account for every person reported missing.
⚠️ State Emergency Declared as More Rain Expected
As the death toll climbed to 24, Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially signed a disaster declaration to speed up emergency response and bring additional aid to Kerr County and other nearby areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard have been activated to help with rescue and recovery efforts.
Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, described the situation as ongoing and extremely dangerous. “The rain has let up, but we know there’s another wave coming,” he warned. Even light rainfall over the already saturated region could cause more deadly flooding.
Residents have been advised to avoid all travel near flood-prone areas. Many roads remain under water and are completely impassable. Communities near the Guadalupe River remain on high alert, and emergency crews are preparing for additional flooding between San Antonio and Waco over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Videos shared online show devastating scenes — houses floating downriver, massive trees ripped from the ground, and debris scattered across roads and fields. “It’s terrible, the floods,” said U.S. President Donald Trump. “It’s shocking.”
As Texas begins to assess the damage and search for survivors, the full scale of the tragedy is only starting to unfold. With entire communities impacted, families in mourning, and children still missing, the focus now is on rescue, recovery, and hope.
