Tragedy Strikes Texas Summer Camp: 24 Dead, Over 20 Girls Missing After Sudden Flash Floods

A deadly flash flood swept through south-central Texas early Friday, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 20 young girls missing from a summer camp near the Guadalupe River, according to local authorities. The disaster has prompted a massive search and rescue effort as officials brace for the possibility of more casualties.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the fatalities during a press briefing, noting that the toll may rise as search teams continue to comb through the devastated area northwest of San Antonio. Some of the victims were children, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced.

"Approximately 23 girls from Camp Mystic are currently unaccounted for," said Patrick. The camp, located along the rapidly swelling Guadalupe River, experienced catastrophic flooding overnight as water levels rose a staggering 26 feet in just 45 minutes.

“That doesn’t mean they’ve been lost,” Patrick stressed. “They could be in trees, or simply out of communication.”

In a message read aloud by Patrick, the camp’s director reported widespread damage and a complete loss of power, water, and internet connectivity. The camp had been hosting around 750 children over the July 4th holiday weekend.

Videos circulating on social media showed floodwaters sweeping away homes, trees, and debris as nearly 12 inches of rainfall a third of Kerr County’s average annual total hit overnight.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted footage of a dramatic helicopter rescue in which a survivor was airlifted from a treetop as floodwaters surged below. “Air rescue missions like this are happening around the clock. We will not stop until everyone is accounted for,” Abbott stated.

Freeman Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, described the flooding as a "mass casualty event." Roughly 500 rescue personnel, 14 helicopters, and teams from the Texas National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard are participating in ongoing operations.

Despite a temporary lull in rainfall, Martin warned that more storms are expected, potentially worsening conditions across the region, including San Antonio and Austin.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly described the flood as unprecedented. “We didn’t know this flood was coming. We have floods all the time, but this is the most dangerous river valley in the United States,” he said, referring to the Guadalupe River.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid travel in the affected areas, as dozens of roads remain impassable. The National Weather Service continues to warn residents in low-lying zones to seek higher ground immediately.

Flash floods are not uncommon in Texas, but experts say human-driven climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events.

Just weeks earlier, at least 10 people died in San Antonio due to flash floods following heavy rain. On Friday, separate storms in New Jersey killed two people after a tree fell on their vehicle, highlighting a broader pattern of destructive weather across the country.

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Source: NDTV‍