Authorities in Texas are engaged in an ongoing search for over 20 girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, who went missing following severe flash floods along the Guadalupe River. The floods, which struck on Friday, have resulted in at least 27 fatalities, including nine children, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
Kerr County, where Camp Mystic is located, experienced significant flooding, with the river rising 26 feet in under an hour. Rescue operations are utilizing helicopters, drones, and boats to locate survivors and recover victims. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating that the day ahead would be challenging.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick reassured that all campers on Senior Hill, the elevated area of the camp, have been accounted for. He indicated that parents of any missing children would have been notified by the camp. However, he noted that the missing children may still be safe but out of communication.
The camp has reported "catastrophic levels of flooding," leaving it without power, water, or internet access. In response to the crisis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott characterized the flooding as "extraordinarily catastrophic" and confirmed that the state remains in a search and rescue mode.
President Donald Trump described the flooding as "shocking" and stated that his administration is coordinating with state officials for disaster response, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem set to visit Texas.
As recovery efforts continue, over 800 individuals have been evacuated from affected areas. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for parts of south-central Texas, but the extent of the rainfall was not anticipated.