At least 24 people have lost their lives and over 20 children remain missing following catastrophic flash flooding triggered by torrential overnight rains in central Texas, officials confirmed Friday.
Among the missing are approximately 23 children from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls located along the Guadalupe River. The camp, which hosts around 750 children, was directly impacted by the rapid rise in river levels. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick stated during a press briefing that extensive rescue efforts are underway, involving at least 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and more than 500 emergency personnel. Multiple rescues have already been carried out, including individuals found stranded in trees.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that 13 fatalities were confirmed in the county alone, with several individuals still unaccounted for. “We are still actively trying to find those that are out and those that are needing assistance,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice.
The National Weather Service issued an upgraded flash flood warning around 4 a.m. local time, enabling wireless emergency alerts to be sent to local residents and campers. Officials also warned of a “large and deadly flood wave” advancing down the Guadalupe River. In some areas, the river surged from 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) to nearly 30 feet overnight and is expected to crest at 34 feet in Spring Branch later Friday.
Dramatic footage circulating online shows cars, RVs, and mobile homes being swept away by the floodwaters. The full extent of the damage remains unclear as search and rescue operations continue.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted on social media platform X that the state is “surging all available resources” to assist in the emergency response. “The immediate priority is saving lives,” he emphasized.
As of Friday afternoon, over half a million residents across central Texas remained under active flash flood warnings.
Authorities continue to urge caution and vigilance as rescue and recovery efforts intensify in one of the region’s worst flood disasters in recent memory.
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