Torrential rains unleashed devastating flash floods in Texas’ Hill Country, killing at least 24 people in Kerr County and leaving many unaccounted for, officials reported Friday.
The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in less than an hour, overwhelming homes, vehicles, and campgrounds.
The floods, triggered by up to 12 inches of rain overnight, prompted multiple flash flood emergencies across the region.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the rising death toll, noting one additional fatality in neighboring Kendall County, though its relation to the flooding remains unclear.
A state of emergency was declared in several counties as roads washed away and power outages affected thousands.
At Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas, 23 to 25 children remain unaccounted for out of approximately 750 campers.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasized, “That does not mean [the missing children] have been lost. They could be out of communication.”
The camp, located along the Guadalupe River, sustained catastrophic damage, with no power, water, or Wi-Fi, complicating rescue efforts.
The camp’s directors noted that parents of unaccounted-for campers have been notified, while others are safe.
The flooding also claimed the life of Jane Ragsdale, director of Heart O’ the Hills camp, described as the “heart and soul” of the operation.
Rescue efforts involving 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and hundreds of personnel persisted through Friday night, with 237 people evacuated, including 167 by helicopter.
Gov. Greg Abbott vowed that searches would continue relentlessly, stating:
They will continue in the darkness of night. They will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be nonstop, seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for.
The National Weather Service warned of additional rainfall through Saturday, raising concerns about further flooding in an area known as “flash flood alley.”
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted the lack of a warning system, noting, “We didn’t know this flood was coming.”
Residents were urged to avoid travel and seek higher ground as the crisis unfolds.