Why flash floods are so dangerous as Texas storm leaves 24 dead
Latest reports suggest at least 24 have been killed.
Additionally, nearly two dozen remain missing - many of them children attending a Christian camp. The search continues as desperate families post social media pictures of their loved ones in a desperate bid to find them.
The tragedy has been officially categorised as a flash flood, the nation's top storm-related killer.
Severe flooding in central Texas on Thursday and Friday has resulted in at least 24 deaths. Many more were reported missing () Flash floods form rapidly
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood is flooding that begins within six hours, and often in as little as three hours, of heavy rainfall.
Waters rise so quickly that people are caught off guard, according to the weather service.. Many people run into trouble while traveling. If at home or work, the water can rise so quickly people are trapped before they have time to think about escape.
That is just what happened to residents along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and the surrounding area after at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) poured from the sky early Friday morning. There was advance notice in Texas
On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch, estimating rising water of up to 7 inches (17 centimeters) in spots. A 'watch' means conditions are favorable for a flood and people should be prepared, but hazardous conditions might not develop.
But the watch was upgraded to a flood warning overnight, a notice that impacted 30,000 people. A warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring, the weather service says. Flash floods are deadly
Last year, 145 people died in flash floods, according to the weather service. On average over the past 30 years, floods have claimed 127 lives annually. Floods trap people in vehicles
Nearly half of all flood-related fatalities involve vehicles.
Many people don't realize that a car becomes difficult to control in just 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water and can be swept away in as little as 18 inches (46 centimeters). So instead of finding a detour, too often people try to drive through water at underpasses or other low-lying areas. Flash floods can happen anywhere
It can happen anywhere, according to the weather service, which says that 'the normally tranquil streams and creeks in your neighborhood can become raging torrents if heavy rain falls overhead.'
An area can be flooded even without rain — if it's downstream of a torrential rainstorm and a swollen stream heads its way.
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The Independent
44 minutes ago
- The Independent
Texas flooding latest: Desperate search for girls missing from summer camp after 24 killed
A desperate search is underway for dozens of children missing from a summer camp after devastating floods hit Texas, killing at least 24. The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River. As of Friday night, at least 237 had been rescued or evacuated, including 167 by helicopters, Reuters reported. The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles. The total number of missing was not known but the sheriff said between 23 and 25 of them were girls who had been attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river. At least 400 people were on the ground helping in the response, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters and 12 drones were being used, with some people being rescued from trees. U.S. president Donald Trump has described the floods as 'terrible' and "shocking". What caused the flooding? The catastrophic flooding was caused by torrential rain - but city authorities and forecasters did not predict that it was about to strike. One National Weather Service forecast this week had called for only between three and six inches (76 to 152 millimeters) of rain, said Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. "It did not predict the amount of rain that we saw," he said. Officials defended their preparations for severe weather and their response but said they had not expected such an intense downpour that was, in effect, the equivalent of months' worth of rain for the area. Alex Croft5 July 2025 12:13 At least 24 dead and more than 20 children missing in catastrophic Texas flooding At least 24 people are reported dead and many more are missing, including girls from a Christian summer camp, after catastrophic river flooding hit central Texas Thursday and Friday. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said by Friday evening 24 people have been killed in the flooding, according to The New York Times. Texas officials said the number of missing is unknown but between 23 and 25 of them were girls who had been attending Camp Mystic. Girls from a Christian summer camp are among those missing after the Guadalupe River flooded in Texas Alex Croft5 July 2025 12:04
Sky News
4 hours ago
- Sky News
At least 24 dead and more than 20 children missing from camp after Texas flooding
Why you can trust Sky News At least 24 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after heavy rain caused flash flooding, according to local media reports. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said between 23 and 25 of those missing were staying at a girls' camp in Texas after the Guadalupe River burst its banks at around 4am local time on Friday. The total number of missing is not known, Sheriff Leitha warned. As much as 10ins (25cm) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, washing out homes and sweeping away vehicles. An official in the city of Kerville told reporters the flooding struck just before dawn "over a very short period of time that could not be predicted, even with the radar". Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far. The judge told reporters at a news conference that "most" of the bodies are yet to be identified. "We're trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don't have it yet," he said. As of Friday night, emergency personnel had rescued or evacuated 237 people, including 167 by helicopter, according to Major General Thomas Suelzer, the adjutant general for the state of Texas. More than 20 girls unaccounted for Emergency services are continuing a frantic search to find those missing - including the girls. The children were among more than 700 who were at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river, when the fast-rising floodwaters hit. Elinor Lester, 13, said she and her cabin mates were woken up by a raging storm at 1.30am and had to be helicoptered to safety. "The camp was completely destroyed," Elinor said, describing the situation as "really scary". Most of the campers are safe but they could not be immediately evacuated because high waters have made local roads unusable, authorities said. "Everybody is doing everything in their power to get these kids out," Judge Kelly said. "They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication," Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said. "We're praying for all of those missing to be found alive. We're doing everything we can to get in there." Unforeseen disaster Asked why more precautions were not taken amid forecasts for stormy weather, Judge Kelly insisted a disaster of such magnitude was unforeseen. "We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States," he said, adding, "We had no reason to believe this was going to be anything like what's happened here. None whatsoever." Later, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that the floods were "terrible," adding: "We're working with the governor [Greg Abbott]." Drones and helicopters used in search Search teams are flying 14 helicopters and a dozen drones over the area, while hundreds of emergency personnel are on the ground conducting rescues. People desperately searching for their loved ones have posted comments on a Facebook post from the Kerr County sheriff's office. One woman said she couldn't reach her daughter, who had rented a cabin with her husband and two children. She pleaded for officials to release the names of those who have been evacuated. Annie Paynter posted that her nephew, who had been missing, was safe after "he was rescued from a tree he clung to for six hours". A man in Kerrville told local news outlet WOAI that his brother's house is missing after the flood, along with the brother, his wife and their two children. Officials said the number of dead could change, as rescue operations for an unspecified total number of missing people are still ongoing, and authorities were still working to identify the dead. It was not clear whether anyone unaccounted for might have ended up among the deceased victims counted countywide by the sheriff.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Texas flooding latest: desperate search for survivors after dozens killed and girls at summer camp missing
Update: Date: 2025-07-05T07:49:35.000Z Title: Content: At a news conference on Friday afternoon, Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick said 23 children from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls, were unaccounted for of 750 who were staying there at the time. He asked people to stay away from the area, saying the Texas division of emergency management had 14 helicopters and hundreds of emergency workers involved in search-and-rescue operations.' Patrick said Donald Trump had been informed of the situation and responded: 'Whatever we need, we can have.' A hundred troopers would also take part in the search and rescue, a Texas official said. Update: Date: 2025-07-05T07:43:11.000Z Title: Desperate search for survivors after dozens killed by Texas flooding Content: At least 24 people have died after torrential rains unleashed flash floods along the Guadalupe River in Texas on Friday as rescue teams scrambled to save dozens of victims trapped by high water or reported missing in the disaster, local officials said. Among the missing were 23 to 25 people listed as unaccounted for at an all-girls Christian summer camp located on the banks of the rain-engorged Guadalupe, 65 miles (105 km) north-west of San Antonio, authorities said. The region was beset by death and disaster on Friday after months' worth of heavy rain fell in a matter of hours. In less than an hour, the river rose 26 feet (7.9m). The flooding swept away mobile homes, vehicles and holiday cabins where people were spending the 4 July weekend, the BBC said. Search teams are conducting boat and helicopter rescues in the fast-moving water that overtook riverfront communities and children's summer camps. But the search has been hampered by limited access to the area. Phones are down, which has also made communication with people difficult. The US National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for parts of Kerr county, located in south-central Texas Hill Country, following the heavy downpours. Kerr county sheriff Larry Leitha said at least 24 fatalities have been confirmed from what his office called the 'catastrophic flooding'. A state of emergency has been declared in several counties and the White House has offered additional help. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One at the end of a day of public events on Friday, Trump said 'we'll take care of them,' when asked about federal aid for the disaster. We'll bring you the latest updates on this developing story.
