At least 24 people have died following a devastating flash flood that swept through Kerr County early Friday morning, state officials confirmed. Among the missing are 23 girls from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp, as search and rescue efforts continue across the Texas Hill Country.
Gov. Greg Abbott held a news conference in Kerrville Friday night, declaring a state of emergency for several flood-stricken counties. The declaration unlocks critical state resources to support local search and recovery operations.
“This is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions,” Abbott said. “Our focus now is on saving lives and finding those still unaccounted for.”
A Sudden, Ferocious Storm
The flash flood followed a night of torrential rain that dropped as much as 10 inches on central Kerr County in just a few hours. The Guadalupe River, which snakes through the region, surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overtopping its banks and sweeping away cars, campers, and entire homes.
“This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States,” Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said grimly. “And this time, it struck with very little warning.”
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a flash flood watch was issued Thursday at 1:18 p.m., followed by a dire flash flood warning just after 1 a.m. Friday. Despite the alerts, officials said the sheer volume of rain was not predicted.
“We were caught off guard,” said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. “The forecast did not match the reality.”
Camp Mystic Tragedy
One of the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River. The camp reported "catastrophic level flooding," and 23 campers remain missing. The camp confirmed it has directly contacted the parents of those still unaccounted for.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick emphasized that the missing girls are not presumed dead at this time.
“We will do anything humanly possible to find your daughter,” he said, addressing the families. “Search crews are still working nonstop.”
More than 400 people have been deployed for rescue and recovery efforts, including 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and dozens of boats. So far, 237 people have been rescued across the affected counties.
The Toll So Far
The current death toll includes adults and children. Some were found in cars swept away by the rising river. One additional body was recovered in neighboring Kendall County, but it remains unclear whether that death is flood-related.
Authorities have yet to identify most of the deceased.
“Most of them, we don’t know who they are,” Judge Kelly said. “One was completely naked, no ID on him at all. It’s heartbreaking.”
A Community in Shock
The floodwaters hit overnight while most residents were asleep, leading to panic and chaos. Erin Burgess, who lives in the Bumble Bee Hills neighborhood, described waking at 3:30 a.m. to heavy rain—and finding her home inundated just minutes later.
“My son and I floated to a tree and held on for dear life,” she said tearfully. “My boyfriend and our dog were swept away. We found them later. I still don’t know how we made it.”
Others shared their desperation online, posting pleas for information about missing campers or relatives staying along the river for the holiday weekend.
Camp Waldemar, another nearby girls' camp, confirmed in a social media post that all their campers were accounted for and safe.
Officials Urge Vigilance
The flood’s impact extends beyond Kerr County. Officials warned that San Antonio and Waco may also experience dangerous flooding within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Meteorologist Bob Fogarty of the NWS said river gauges in Hunt, where the Guadalupe splits, recorded a rise of 22 feet in just two hours—before the equipment failed entirely under rising water. “We think it went even higher,” Fogarty said.
“This kind of flash flooding will catch you unaware,” he added. “You won’t see it coming until it’s already on top of you.”
Gov. Abbott urged all Texans in affected areas to heed weather alerts and avoid flooded roads: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Search and rescue operations are expected to continue into the weekend, with local, state, and federal agencies coordinating efforts in Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and surrounding communities.
If you have loved ones in the Kerr County area or at Camp Mystic, officials urge you to wait for direct communication. Those not contacted by the camp are presumed to be safe.
