At Least 20 Girls Unaccounted for After Texas Summer Camp Flooding
A devastating flood following severe overnight storms has left at least 20 girls missing from an all-girls Christian summer camp in southern Texas, according to officials.
During a press briefing on Friday afternoon, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick reported that approximately “20-some” campers from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, were still unaccounted for, later revising that estimate to about 23.
In a separate address in Kerr County, Sheriff Larry L. Leitha Jr. confirmed 13 deaths resulting from the flooding but did not provide further details and cautioned that the death toll could rise.
Patrick also noted that some victims, including children, have been found, stating, “some are in vehicles that were carried upstream.” He acknowledged that the origins of those bodies remain uncertain, suggesting that they may include individuals from the camp.
“This is a mass casualty event,” commented Freeman Martin, Texas’ director of public safety. Patrick indicated that the operation involves 18 helicopters and between 400 to 500 rescue personnel, with reports of individuals having been rescued from treetops.
Communication with President Donald Trump has established federal support, as the president assured that the White House would deploy any necessary resources.
Earlier, Camp Mystic, which hosted about 750 campers, sent a message to parents, stating, “If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified,” while confirming that some girls had been located safely within the camp.
Officials also mentioned that a nearby highway had been washed away, and the area was experiencing outages of power, water, and internet services, complicating recovery efforts. “Please continue to pray and send any help if you have contacts to do so,” they urged.
Celebrating nearly a century of operation next year, the camp caters to girls aged 7 to 17 and is situated near the Guadalupe River, which surged dramatically, rising up to 22 feet in just half an hour and reaching 30 feet in the nearby town of Comfort, breaking long-standing records.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Secretary Kristi Noem had activated the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA, coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of the girls.
Senator Ted Cruz expressed his concern in a statement shortly after 4 p.m. ET, asking for prayers for those in the Hill Country, particularly for Camp Mystic. He mentioned communication with key officials, including Governor Abbott and President Trump, and highlighted that multiple helicopters were engaged in the search and rescue operations.
Earlier in the day, during a press briefing, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly reported six fatalities due to the flooding, with expectations that the number may increase, according to local news sources.
When questioned about the missing campers, Kelly confirmed that some remained unaccounted for. “We know that there are some missing,” he acknowledged. “We are aware of some who are stranded, and we’re working with individuals from Camp Mystic to confirm details. However, we cannot ascertain the precise number as of now, but efforts are underway to ensure their return.”
Flood warnings continue to be issued statewide through the weekend.
“There is an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours, in addition to continued risks in west and central Texas,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned in his statement.
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