A powerful flood in Texas Hill Country has killed 24 people and left more than 20 children missing, including campers from a nearby girls’ summer camp. The sudden overnight downpour triggered flash flooding across Kerr County, prompting large-scale rescue efforts.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the death toll during a press briefing on Friday. Rescue teams have saved 237 people so far, with helicopters lifting 167 of them to safety.
The missing children had been staying at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp by the Guadalupe River in the town of Hunt. Elinor Lester, 13, said she and her cabin mates crossed a flooded bridge holding onto a rope before helicopters evacuated them.
“We had to walk across the bridge with water around our legs,” she said. “The camp was completely destroyed. It was really frightening.”
Officials warned the death toll could rise as search efforts continue. Teams are still locating and identifying the deceased.
River levels rose rapidly
A river gauge in Hunt showed a rise of 22 feet (6.7 metres) in two hours before it failed. It last recorded a level of 29.5 feet (9 metres), according to Bob Fogarty from the National Weather Service.
“The water moved so fast, many people didn’t realise the danger until it reached them,” Fogarty said.
People flooded the Kerr County sheriff’s Facebook page with photos of missing relatives and pleas for help.
Governor Dan Patrick said more than 400 responders are involved. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones are assisting, with some rescues taking place in trees.
He also confirmed that 23 of the 750 girls at Camp Mystic are still unaccounted for. “We’re doing all we can to find everyone,” he said.
Local residents share their experiences
In Ingram, Erin Burgess woke up at 3:30 a.m. to thunder and rain. Within 20 minutes, water had entered her home by the river. She and her son clung to a tree for an hour, waiting for the flood to recede.
“My boyfriend and dog floated away, but we found them later,” she said. “My son is over six feet tall, which helped me hold on.”
Matthew Stone of Kerrville said police knocked on his door at 5:30 a.m., but he didn’t receive any emergency alerts.
“There was no warning,” he said. “It was like a black wall of water.”
He gave rescuers his paddle boat to help a neighbour. At one point, they thought they heard someone shouting for help, but they couldn’t see anyone in the darkness.
Evacuees reunite with families
In Ingram, a reunification centre welcomed evacuees. Families cried and embraced as buses and military vehicles arrived.
Two soldiers carried an elderly woman who couldn’t climb down a ladder. A woman in muddy clothes held her small white dog. A young girl wearing a Camp Mystic T-shirt stood crying in her mother’s arms.
Barry Adelman, 54, said the flood pushed everyone in his three-storey house into the attic. His 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson were among them.
“Water started to come through the attic floor,” he said. “I told my grandson we’d be fine, but I was terrified inside.”
Officials defend emergency response
Weather forecasts had warned of rain and possible flooding. Overnight, a flood watch turned into a warning for at least 30,000 residents. However, rainfall totals in some areas exceeded expectations.
Governor Patrick said the warning covered a large area and the storm’s path became clear only in the early morning hours.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said the county has no formal flood alert system. When asked why there was no broader warning, he replied, “No one expected a flood this severe.”
“We get floods often,” Kelly added. “This river valley is one of the most dangerous in the country.”
Region known for flash flood
The Texas Hill Country is prone to flash flooding. Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said the region’s thin soil causes water to run off hills rather than soak in.
River tourism plays a major role in the local economy. The area is home to long-standing summer camps and riverside holiday homes.
“The river is usually peaceful, with clear blue water,” Dickson said. “It’s been a draw for generations.”
