24 dead, campers missing after flash floods in Texas
4 Min Read
Emergency crews in Texas race to rescue survivors after deadly flash floods swept through Kerr County, inundating a summer camp and leaving dozens unaccounted for.
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Families are reunited at a reunification center after flash flooding hit the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Ingram, Texas (AP)
The death toll from sudden and catastrophic flash flooding in south-central Texas rose to 24 on Friday, as emergency crews intensified efforts to locate more than 20 missing girls from a summer camp near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the fatalities during an evening press briefing, adding that search and rescue operations remain active. “At this point, we’re at about 24 fatalities,” he said.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick stated that “about 23” girls from Camp Mystic, a well-known girls’ summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River, were still unaccounted for. The river rose a staggering 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes following heavy overnight rainfall, overwhelming the region’s flood defenses.
PLEASE PRAY For More Miracles In Texas.
— John Basham (@JohnBasham) July 5, 2025
Many Little Girls Still Missing From Camp Mystic Where Flooding Inundated The Girls Camp Over Just 45 Minutes...
At Least 13 Little Girls Already Confirmed Dead.
20+ Still Missing.
Search & Rescue Ongoing! pic.twitter.com/n43mMcNCEv
Sheriff Leitha noted that between 23 and 25 people are believed to be missing. Officials emphasized that not all missing individuals are necessarily lost. “That does not mean they've been lost,” Patrick said. “They could be in a tree, they could be out of communication.”
US President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy from aboard Air Force One, calling the situation “shocking” and “terrible". Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that a disaster declaration would be issued to unlock additional resources for affected counties.
“Air rescue missions like this are being done around the clock,” Abbott wrote on X, sharing dramatic footage of a helicopter rescue. “We will not stop until everyone is accounted for.”
Rescue operations expand
Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer reported that at least 237 people had been rescued or evacuated from the disaster zone, including 167 airlifted by helicopter. A massive response involving over 500 personnel and 14 helicopters remains underway.
Freeman Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, described the flooding as a “mass casualty event.” He explained that poor weather early in the day hampered access to flooded areas, but clearer conditions later allowed operations to scale up. Trucks were dispatched to Camp Mystic to evacuate those stranded on the campgrounds.
Officials also warned residents to stay away from flood zones. Dozens of roads across the region were deemed impassable, and the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Kerr County, urging anyone near the river to move to higher ground.
Unprecedented rainfall and risk of further flooding
The region was hit with up to 12 inches of rain in a single night, nearly one-third of Kerr County’s typical annual rainfall. Videos shared on social media captured scenes of devastation, with floodwaters sweeping away homes, trees, and infrastructure.
“This is not going to end today,” Martin cautioned, warning that another wave of flooding could threaten neighboring counties.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted officials were caught off guard by the speed and scale of the disaster. “We didn’t know this flood was coming,” he said. “This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States,” he added, referring to the unpredictable behavior of the Guadalupe River.
Climate change, rising risks
While flash flooding is not uncommon in Texas, scientists have long warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Warmer atmospheric conditions contribute to heavier rainfall and faster runoff, making regions like Kerr County increasingly vulnerable.
Last month, at least 10 people were killed in San Antonio following a similar flash flood event, underlining a growing pattern of climate-driven disasters across the state.
Elsewhere, severe weather continued to wreak havoc. In New Jersey, two people were killed after a tree collapsed onto their vehicle during a violent thunderstorm, according to local police.
