Texas Flash Floods Kill 24, Over 20 Campers Still Missing

At least 24 people have died and over 20 girls from a summer camp remain missing after torrential rains triggered catastrophic flash floods across Texas Hill Country, authorities confirmed Friday.

The floods, fueled by more than 10 inches (25 cm) of overnight rainfall, swept through Kerr County with little warning, turning the normally scenic Guadalupe River into a deadly torrent. The disaster zone includes Camp Mystic in the small town of Hunt, where dozens of children were attending a Christian summer camp.

“It was really scary,” said 13-year-old camper Elinor Lester, who described being airlifted to safety after she and fellow campers were forced to cross a flooding bridge with water rising to their knees.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the rising toll at a late-night press briefing, while officials warned the number of missing remains uncertain as rescue efforts intensify.

So far, 237 people have been rescued — 167 by helicopter. Nine specialized teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones are scouring the area for survivors. Search crews are reportedly pulling people from treetops as the river surged more than 22 feet in just two hours.

Camp Mystic said roughly 23 girls were still unaccounted for. “We’re doing everything possible to find everyone,” said Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.

Residents across Kerrville and Ingram recounted terrifying encounters with the floodwaters. Erin Burgess said she and her teenage son clung to a tree for over an hour after water crashed into their home.

“My son and I floated to a tree. My boyfriend and dog were swept away, but we found them later,” she recalled. “What saved me was hanging onto my son — he’s over 6 feet tall.”

Matthew Stone of Kerrville criticized the lack of emergency alerts: “We got no warning. It was a pitch-black wall of death.”

At a reunification center in Ingram, tearful families were reunited with loved ones. One girl, soaked and shaking, sobbed into her mother’s arms in a soaked Camp Mystic T-shirt.

Despite a flood warning being issued overnight for over 30,000 people, many said they received no emergency notification. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted: “We do not have a warning system,” adding, “No one knew this kind of flood was coming.”

Meteorologist Bob Fogarty of the National Weather Service said the river gauge at Hunt recorded a dramatic spike before it failed at 29.5 feet.

“This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States,” Kelly said.

The Texas Hill Country is notorious for flash flooding due to its rocky terrain and thin soil layer, which causes water to rush downhill rather than soak in.

Austin Dickson, head of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said the region’s popular tourism and river camp industry has been devastated.

“The Guadalupe is normally a peaceful, blue-water river that draws people from across the country,” Dickson said. “Today, it’s a disaster zone.”

As rescue operations continue into the weekend, officials caution that the death toll may still rise.