Texas Flood Disaster: 24 Confirmed Dead, 25 Still Missing After Torrential Rains Slam Hill Country
Catastrophic flash floods have devastated Texas Hill Country, leaving at least 24 people dead and 25 others missing following a sudden rainfall that dumped months’ worth of rain in just hours. Emergency crews continue an intense search and rescue mission as the full scale of the disaster remains unclear.
The worst-hit area is Kerr County, where fast-moving floodwaters surged through the Guadalupe River valley early Friday morning. Officials confirmed the deaths at a late evening press briefing, while families across the region continue to wait anxiously for word on missing loved ones. Among the missing are more than 20 young girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in the town of Hunt.
“The camp was completely destroyed,” said 13-year-old Elinor Lester, one of the rescued campers. “We had to cross a bridge holding a rope while the water was up to our knees. It was really scary. A helicopter came and took us out.”
In total, 237 people have been rescued, 167 of them by helicopter, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. Emergency responders, including search teams using boats, helicopters, and drones, are operating nonstop. “We will not stop until we find every last person,” said Freeman F. Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The flooding began after more than 10 inches of rain fell overnight in central Kerr County, causing the Guadalupe River to rise dramatically, more than 22 feet in just two hours. A river gauge near Hunt recorded a final height of 29.5 feet before failing.
“The water moved so fast, many people didn’t have time to react,” said Bob Fogarty, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. On social media and community pages, desperate pleas for information poured in as families posted photos and descriptions of missing individuals. Many shared stories of loved ones swept away by the surging river or last seen climbing into trees to escape the waters.
State and local officials said more than 400 personnel are involved in the rescue effort, including nine specialized teams and 14 helicopters. Drones are being used to scan flooded terrain and locate survivors.Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirmed that 23 campers were still unaccounted for at Camp Mystic. “Search crews are doing everything humanly possible to find them,” he said. “This is a heartbreaking situation.”
The identity of the victims has not been publicly released as authorities work to notify families. Officials warned that the number of casualties could still rise as the search continues through the weekend. The disaster marks one of the deadliest floods in Texas in recent years and comes as emergency services across the state brace for more severe weather in the coming days.
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