On Saturday (July 5), the central part of Texas in the United States encountered the most severe flash flood in history. Rescue personnel continued to search for survivors in the devastated areas, including 27 girls who went missing during a camping trip. As of now, Kerr County has confirmed at least 43 fatalities, including 15 children, with an additional 8 people from neighboring areas losing their lives. The governor declared Sunday (July 6) as a day of prayer for the entire state.
“I urge all Texans to pray together for the victims, the missing, post-disaster reconstruction, and frontline personnel,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. He pledged to continue the search and rescue efforts.
The disaster struck in the early hours of Friday when the Guadalupe River rose by 26 feet (about 8 meters) in just 45 minutes, submerging homes and campsites along the banks. Several campsites, including the Christian summer camp “Camp Mystic,” were hit hardest, with the majority of the deceased coming from that camp.
The total number of missing persons is still unclear. Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, stated, “We can’t even estimate the number of missing persons at this time.”
According to reports from the Associated Press, 13-year-old survivor Elinor Lester said, “Our camp was completely destroyed. Helicopters landed in the middle of the night to evacuate everyone, it was really terrifying.” She recounted how, during the flooding at the camp, rescue personnel used ropes to help the girls cross bridges submerged by rushing water.
Family members have been posting photos of their loved ones on social media, seeking information. The victims include an 8-year-old girl from Alabama and the director of another nearby camp.
AccuWeather, a private weather forecasting company, and the National Weather Service issued warnings of possible flash floods several hours before the flooding occurred, indicating that there should have been enough time to evacuate the campsites. The region’s steep terrain and numerous waterways make it one of the most prone areas in the United States for sudden flash floods.
Several nearby campsites like Mo-Ranch and Rio Vista had evacuated hundreds of campers to higher ground due to weather alerts. Nevertheless, Kerr County’s chief executive, Rob Kelly, admitted that the rainfall exceeded expectations, creating a “once-in-a-century” disaster.
Currently, 850 individuals have been rescued. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited the area, promising that the Trump administration would utilize all resources for disaster relief. The Coast Guard deployed helicopters and aircraft to provide support, even operating during the night.
Many survivors had harrowing experiences. One woman and her son clung to trees for survival, while another family was forced to seek refuge in the attic, including a 94-year-old great-grandmother and her 9-year-old grandson.
In the Texas hill country region known locally as “flash flood alley,” the water does not easily infiltrate the soil, leading to rapid and devastating flooding. Local charitable foundations are calling for donations to assist with post-disaster reconstruction.
Kelly expressed that during his aerial inspection, he witnessed debris everywhere and body bags outside funeral homes, feeling overwhelmed with sorrow. He stated, “Our search and rescue efforts have done everything possible, and now we are entering the recovery phase, which will be a difficult and lengthy process.”