Texas flood: 27 children and counselors killed at Camp Mystic, several people still missing. Here's all you need to know
'Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River,' the camp said in a statement posted to its website.
'We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, first responders, and officials at every level.'
Flash floods swept through central Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, killing at least 82 people and leaving dozens more missing, including several girls who were attending a summer camp along the Guadalupe River.
The torrential rain struck the Texas Hill Country overnight Friday into Saturday, dropping nearly 12 inches of rain in hours. The Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet in less than an hour, reaching treetops and sweeping through riverside cabins as people slept. Blankets, toys, and furniture were left buried in mud, while shattered windows and debris testified to the force of the water.
The floods struck in the dark early hours of Friday, when a powerful storm dumped nearly a foot of rain across the Texas Hill Country. The Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes, quickly engulfing cabins and homes.
'Across the state, in all the areas affected by flooding, there are 41 known missing,' Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday.
More than 17 helicopters were dispatched to help locate missing children and adults. Volunteers and residents joined the effort, though officials asked civilians to stop flying personal drones to avoid endangering rescue aircraft.
Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County confirmed at least 68 deaths in his jurisdiction alone—40 adults and 28 children.
Survivors described the floods as an unstoppable torrent.
'It was a pitch black wall of death,' one camper's parent said. 'People had no chance to get out in time.'
Many said they did not receive emergency alerts before water levels rose to treetops.
Questions have mounted over why evacuation alerts were issued only around 4 a.m.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said, 'Nobody saw this coming,' referring to the deluge as a '100-year flood.'
Officials acknowledged a proposal for a more robust flood warning system had stalled over concerns about the cost.
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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
More Than 100 Dead In Texas Floods As More Rain Expected
The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas rose to more than 100 on Monday, as rescuers continued their grim search for people swept away by torrents of water. Among the dead were at least 27 girls and counselors who were staying at a youth summer camp on a river when disaster struck over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Forecasters have warned of more flooding as rain falls on saturated ground, complicating recovery efforts involving helicopters, boats and dogs, as the number of victims is expected to rise still. President Donald Trump is planning to visit Texas on Friday, the White House said, as it slammed critics claiming his cuts to weather agencies had weakened warning systems. "Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday. She said the National Weather Service, which The New York Times reported had several key roles in Texas unfilled before the floods, issued "timely and precise forecasts and warnings." Trump has described the floods that struck in the early hours of Friday as a "100-year catastrophe" that "nobody expected." The president, who previously said disaster relief should be handled at the state level, has signed a major disaster declaration, activating fresh federal funds and freeing up resources. - 'Tragedy' - Kerr County in central Texas has been hardest hit of the counties devastated by the floods, with 56 adults and 28 children killed, according to the local sheriff's office. They include the 27 who had been staying at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp that was housing about 750 people when the floodwaters struck. Camps are a beloved tradition in the long US summer holidays, with children often staying in woods, parks and other rural areas. Texas Senator Ted Cruz described them as a chance to make "lifetime friends -- and then suddenly it turns to tragedy." In a terrifying display of nature's power, the rain-swollen waters of the Guadalupe River reached treetops and the roofs of cabins as girls at the camp slept. Blankets, teddy bears and other belongings were caked in mud. Windows in the cabins were shattered, apparently by the force of the water. Volunteers were helping search through debris from the river, with some motivated by personal connections to the victims. "We're helping the parents of two of the missing children," Louis Deppe, 62, told AFP. "The last message they got was 'We're being washed away,' and the phone went dead." Months' worth of rain fell in a matter of hours on Thursday night into Friday, and rain has continued in bouts since then. The Guadalupe surged around 26 feet (eight meters) -- more than a two-story building -- in just 45 minutes. Flash floods, which occur when the ground is unable to absorb torrential rainfall, are not unusual in this region of south and central Texas, known colloquially as "Flash Flood Alley." Human-driven climate change has made extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heat waves more frequent and more intense in recent years. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Over 100 Dead In Devastating Central Texas Flood, 27 Missing Girls Confirmed Killed
Last Updated: Over 100 people were confirmed dead in the catastrophic flooding in Texas, as the searchers continued to find survivors in the devastated areas. The death toll from the devastating flash floods in central Texas last week has crossed the 100 mark, which included the 27 girls who went missing from a Guadalupe riverside camp, authorities said on Monday, as the search and rescue operation continued for people swept away by torrents of water. At least 84 people were confirmed dead in the hardest hit Kerr County, with 10 Camp Mystic campers and a counsellor still missing, news agency AFP reported, citing police. At least 17 people were recorded as deceased in several other nearby counties. The disaster struck over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, sweeping away several people. Forecasters warned of more flooding as rain continued to lash the area, further hampering rescue operations, which involve helicopters, boats and dogs. The death toll is expected to rise further, AFP reported. More to follow…
India Today
5 hours ago
- India Today
Texas flash floods kill 89, dozens missing including children at Camp Mystic
At least 89 people have been confirmed dead due to catastrophic flash floods in Texas. Torrential rain swept through Kerr County and surrounding areas, particularly along the Guadalupe River, causing widespread devastation. Among those missing are several girls attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in the RAINFALL HITS OVERNIGHTAs reported by the Associated Press, the flooding began in the early hours of Friday, catching many residents off guard while they were asleep. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch Thursday afternoon, followed by an urgent warning around 4 a.m. In just 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose by 26 feet after over a foot of rain fell overnight. The Texas Hill Country's dry and compact soil, unable to absorb water quickly, worsened the climb over debris on a bridge atop the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area. Officials in Kerr County reported 75 fatalities, including 27 reported by Reuters, A Christian all-girls camp in central Texas said on Monday that 27 campers and counsellors were among those who perished in the catastrophic flooding over the July 4 weekend, while emergency responders still searching for dozens of missing people faced the prospect of more heavy rains and Greg Abbott confirmed on Sunday that 41 individuals were officially listed as missing statewide. Local authorities are facing tough questions about the timing of flood alerts. Survivors described the event as a 'pitch-black wall of death' and said no emergency warnings reached them before the waters surged. Officials acknowledged communication gaps, citing power outages and limited cell coverage in rural are now underway to evaluate the region's emergency alert systems and potentially implement a more robust flood warning protocol. The flooding destroyed infrastructure, homes, and entire search for missing people along the banks of the Guadalupe River after recent flooding on Sunday.'It will take a long time to clean up, let alone rebuild,' said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. Relief efforts have begun, and President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit the affected area on Friday.- EndsMust Watch
