massive search-and-rescue operation continues in central Texas after unprecedented flash flooding along the Guadalupe River left at least 52 people dead and dozens still missing. The flooding, which began late Thursday, has devastated communities across Kerr County, located about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio.
According to Sheriff Larry Leitha, 43 fatalities occurred within Kerr County alone — 28 adults and 15 children — following torrential rains that caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes. In total, the area received up to 15 inches of rain, nearly half a year’s worth, in a matter of hours.
Camp Mystic Tragedy: Children Among the Missing
Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian girls’ summer camp located directly on the riverbank. The flood hit while 700 girls were in residence. As of Saturday night, 27 campers remained missing, prompting anguished searches by families and first responders. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the site, called the damage “horrendous” and described floodwaters reaching the tops of cabins.
“We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins,” Abbott vowed after issuing a disaster declaration for nearly two dozen counties.
Rescues Amid Ruins
Search and rescue teams, including volunteers from the United Cajun Navy, have worked around the clock, pulling survivors from rooftops, trees, and flood debris. Officials say more than 800 people have been rescued or evacuated from Kerr County so far.
Nick Sorter, a rescue volunteer, described the camp buildings as “washed out, just carved out from the inside.” One survivor, 13-year-old Elinor Lester, recalled helicopters landing amid the chaos: “It was really scary.”
Photos from inside Camp Mystic reveal the extent of the destruction: muddy bunkbeds, scattered belongings, and entire walls torn from structures. 8-year-old Sarah Marsh and 9-year-old Janie Hunt were confirmed among the dead. A nearby girls’ camp, Heart O’ the Hills, reported the death of co-owner Jane Ragsdale, though no campers were present when the flooding hit.
Threat of Further Flooding Looms
Meteorologists warn that more rain is expected, with flood watches extending into Sunday. The National Weather Service forecasted an additional 2 to 4 inches, with isolated areas potentially seeing 10 inches, heightening fears of more flooding.
“Any additional heavy rain will lead to flash flooding where it occurs and downstream,” warned the Weather Service.
Flash Flood Alley: A History of Tragedy
Texas Hill Country — home to the Guadalupe River — is known as “flash flood alley,” a region prone to rapid and devastating floods. The July 4 flood is among the worst in the region’s history. Alan Gerard, a retired NOAA storm expert, said several dangerous factors combined to cause the catastrophe: intense rainfall, terrain prone to water runoff, and narrow riverbeds.
The Guadalupe River has flooded over a dozen times since 1978, but the speed and force of this flood set it apart.
Communities Reeling Across Central Texas
The damage wasn’t limited to Kerr County. In San Angelo, 150 miles west, 62-year-old Tanya Burwick died after her SUV was overtaken by 12 feet of water. Police later found her body several blocks away. “Our hearts are heavy,” San Angelo authorities said in a statement, as floodwaters overwhelmed Tom Green County, which received 14 inches of rain.
Little or No Warning Before Catastrophe
Officials say the flood arrived too quickly for traditional evacuation protocols. “The extreme flooding struck before dawn with little or no warning,” said Dalton Rice, Kerrville’s city manager.
While state officials had issued general flood advisories ahead of the holiday weekend, W. Nim Kidd, Director of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, acknowledged that forecasts “did not predict the amount of rain we saw.”
Witness Accounts: ‘It Wasn’t Slowing’
Tonia Fucci, visiting from Pennsylvania, described the terrifying scene near the river: “It wasn’t slowing… debris and furniture and RVs were coming down the river,” she said. Fucci said alerts came hours after the worst of the flooding had already struck, and neighbors relied on each other for help before emergency responders could arrive.
A Beloved Summer Tradition Shattered
Camp Mystic, a nearly 100-year-old summer camp, has been a cherished tradition for generations of Texas families. Former camper Clair Cannon, whose mother and daughter also attended, described the area as one of the most peaceful places she had ever seen. “It’s heartbreaking to see it like this,” she said.
A Long Road Ahead
As the rescue effort enters its fourth day, officials say the number of missing remains uncertain, especially given the influx of holiday visitors. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said up to 500 rescue workers continue to search, adding that they still don’t know how many people may have been camping in tents or staying in vacation homes when the floods struck.
“We don’t know how many people were in tents on the side, in small trailers, in rented homes by the river,” Patrick told Fox News. “It was the Fourth of July holiday.”
Authorities continue to urge caution as more rain is forecast. The coming days will determine whether the tragedy deepens — or if more survivors can still be found in the wake of one of Texas’s deadliest floods in recent memory.
