Search for missing girls from summer camp after Texas floods kill at least 24
There were hundreds of rescues around Kerr County, including at least 167 by helicopter, authorities said, after nearly a foot of rain fell.
The total number of missing is 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.
Families are reunited at a reunification centre after flash flooding hit the area (AP/Eric Gay)
On social media, parents and families posted desperate pleas for information about loved ones caught in the flood zone.
'The camp was completely destroyed,' said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers at Camp Mystic.
'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.'
She said a raging storm woke up her cabin around 1.30am on Friday (7.30am on Friday BST). When rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold as the children in her cabin walked across the bridge with floodwaters whipping around their knees.
The flooding in the middle of the night on the July 4 US holiday caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise.
First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River for individuals swept away by flooding in Ingram, Texas (Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)
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.
One US National Weather Service forecast this week had called for only between three and six inches 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.
At a news conference late on Friday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 24 people had been confirmed killed. Authorities said 237 people had been rescued so far.
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Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Search for missing girls from summer camp after Texas floods kill at least 24
At least 24 people have been killed and many others are missing, including more than 20 girls from a summer camp, after a storm caused severe flooding in Texas. The destructive force of the flash floods after the Guadalupe River burst its banks just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles in Texas Hill Country. There were hundreds of rescues around Kerr County, including at least 167 by helicopter, authorities said, after nearly a foot of rain fell. The total number of missing is 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. On social media, parents and families posted desperate pleas for information about loved ones caught in the flood zone. 'The camp was completely destroyed,' said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers at Camp Mystic. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' She said a raging storm woke up her cabin around 1.30am on Friday (7.30am on Friday BST). When rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold as the children in her cabin walked across the bridge with floodwaters whipping around their knees. The flooding in the middle of the night on the July 4 US holiday caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise. 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. One US National Weather Service forecast this week had called for only between three and six inches 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.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Texas floods sees 25 girls reported missing from summer camp as death toll rises
Torrential rains have triggered deadly flash floods across Texas, leaving at least 24 dead and dozens missing—most of them young girls from a summer camp. Torrential storms in Texas have triggered catastrophic flooding that has claimed the lives of at least 24 people with up to 25 girls still missing. Emergency crews continue rescue effort to find the remain missing with most of them from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River. The flooding came swiftly and with little warning, reports the Mirror. Within just 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and entire sections of riverside communities. Hundreds of rescues have taken place across Kerr County, including at least 167 airlifts by helicopter. Authorities remain in an active search and rescue operation. 'They will continue in the darkness of night. They will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be nonstop,' Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a press briefing. Camp Mystic, which was housing around 700 girls, was one of the hardest-hit sites. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick read a statement from the camp, describing the flooding as reaching a "catastrophic level." Emergency teams have been using helicopters equipped with infrared technology to search for those still missing overnight. Five girls—Renee Smajstrla, Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, Janie Hunt, and Lainey Landry—are among those unaccounted for after the camp was overwhelmed by the floods on Friday. Thirteen-year-old camper Elinor Lester recalled the harrowing scene: 'The camp was completely destroyed. A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' She said her cabin woke to the sound of the storm around 1:30am and rescuers helped them cross a flooded bridge using a rope, with water rushing around their legs. On social media, desperate families are pleading for news of their loved ones still missing in the flood zone. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. President Donald Trump addressed the disaster Friday night, expressing shock and promising federal assistance. 'It's terrible, the floods, it's shocking,' he said. When asked about federal aid, he responded, 'We'll take care of them. It's a terrible thing.' As rescue efforts continue into the night, the full scale of this disaster is still unfolding. Officials have not confirmed the total number of missing individuals.
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3 hours ago
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Search for missing girls from summer camp after Texas floods kill at least 24
Search for missing girls from summer camp after Texas floods kill at least 24 Hundreds of rescues have been carried out after the Guadalupe River burst its banks A Kerrville resident watches the rising waters of the Guadalupe River At least 24 people have been killed and many others are missing, including more than 20 girls from a summer camp, after a storm caused severe flooding in Texas. The destructive force of the flash floods after the Guadalupe River burst its banks just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles in Texas Hill Country. There were hundreds of rescues around Kerr County, including at least 167 by helicopter, authorities said, after nearly a foot of rain fell. The total number of missing is 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. On social media, parents and families posted desperate pleas for information about loved ones caught in the flood zone. 'The camp was completely destroyed,' said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers at Camp Mystic. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' Article continues below She said a raging storm woke up her cabin around 1.30am on Friday (7.30am on Friday BST). When rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold as the children in her cabin walked across the bridge with floodwaters whipping around their knees. The flooding in the middle of the night on the July 4 US holiday caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise. 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. One US National Weather Service forecast this week had called for only between three and six inches of rain, said Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Article continues below 'It did not predict the amount of rain that we saw,' he said. At a news conference late on Friday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 24 people had been confirmed killed. Authorities said 237 people had been rescued so far.
