The quiet of a summer morning in the Texas Hill Country was shattered early Friday when fast-rising floodwaters swept through the region, killing at least 24 people and leaving more than 20 young girls missing from a popular summer camp.
According to NBC News, catastrophic flash flooding caused by intense rainfall and the resulting overflow of the Guadalupe River has devastated central Texas, prompting ongoing search and rescue operations and federal emergency support.
Floodwaters surged through the region shortly after 4 a.m. Friday, July 4, following a storm system that dumped up to 10 inches of rain within 24 hours in Kerr County. The Guadalupe River, overwhelmed by the sudden rainfall, rose more than 22 feet in just 30 minutes in the town of Comfort, breaking long-standing flood records. Kerr County bore the brunt of the destruction, with most of the fatalities confirmed in that area. One additional death was reported in nearby Kendall County, according to Sheriff Larry L. Leitha Jr. Residents described scenes of devastation as homes in Ingram were torn apart and vehicles were pulled away by the power of the floodwaters.
Mass Rescue Efforts Mobilized Across the Region
Among the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, a summer camp hosting approximately 750 girls between the ages of 7 and 17. As the water levels rose Friday morning, initial rescue efforts began with helicopters airlifting dozens of people from the site. Texas Game Wardens later gained ground access to the camp and extracted more survivors. By nightfall on July 4, a total of 237 individuals had been rescued from the flood zone, including 167 by helicopter hoist operations, according to Major General Thomas Suelzer.
Camp Mystic representatives confirmed that families of the unaccounted-for girls—reported to number between 23 and 25—had been notified directly. “If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified,” the camp communicated in a message to parents.
Emergency Declarations and Federal Response
In response to the disaster, more than 400 emergency personnel were deployed across the affected areas. The Department of Homeland Security activated both FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard to support rescue and recovery operations.
Texas officials, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, described the situation as ongoing and uncertain. “That does not mean they’ve been lost,” Patrick said Friday evening of the missing. “They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication. We’re praying for all of those missing to be found alive.” President Donald Trump assured state leaders of unwavering support from federal agencies. “We’re working with the governor,” Trump said. “It’s a terrible thing.”
Personal Loss and Widespread Destruction
Across Kerr and Llano counties, residents grieved the loss of family, homes, and livelihoods. Lina Hidalgo, judge of Harris County, confirmed that at least five of the deceased victims were from the Houston area. Local accounts reflected widespread devastation, with entire properties submerged, highways destroyed, and utilities disrupted.
One Kerrville survivor shared his experience, telling a local news outlet that his entire home had been lost in minutes. Stripped of belongings and even footwear, the man recounted how a nearby Walmart assisted by giving him a pair of shoes. Another resident reported the death of his brother’s family, including his brother, sister-in-law, and their two children, during the early morning floods.
Ongoing Danger As River Crests Shift South
Though the Guadalupe River had reached its peak in Kerrville and Comfort Friday evening, officials continued to warn of dangers further south. The National Weather Service projected that near Spring Branch, the river would reach a crest of over 37 feet around 2 a.m. Saturday morning.
Meteorologist Bill Karins explained how the region's terrain influenced the rapid buildup of floodwaters. “It’s not like the mountains in the Rockies or the Appalachians, but there are hills,” Karins said. “The water will rush down the hills and collect in the smaller streams, and then it all combines, and all into the Guadalupe.” Flood warnings remained in effect for much of central Texas heading into the weekend, as state officials urged residents to remain vigilant. Lt. Gov. Patrick warned of continued threats from flash flooding across communities stretching from San Antonio to Waco over the next two days.
State and Nation Rally in Support of Victims
Sen. Ted Cruz urged prayers for the people of Hill Country, especially the families impacted at Camp Mystic. He confirmed he had communicated with federal and state leadership, including Gov. Abbott and President Trump, to coordinate aid efforts. “President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs,” Cruz said in a social media post.
Gov. Greg Abbott called the event an "extraordinary catastrophe" and emphasized the urgency and persistence of rescue missions. “They will continue in the darkness of night, they will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be non-stop,” he said.
Desperate hours are unfolding as the large-scale mission to locate the missing girls continues through treacherous terrain and challenging weather, with hope and heartbreak hanging in the balance. What was meant to be a joyous summer holiday weekend has become one of the deadliest flood events in recent Texas history.
