Rescue teams continued the desperate search for survivors across central Texas on Saturday, where catastrophic flash floods left at least 51 people dead, including 15 children, and 27 girls missing after a summer camp was overwhelmed by a wall of water.
The disaster struck Kerr County early Friday, when the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and entire camps. At least eight additional deaths were reported in nearby counties, with authorities warning the toll could rise.
The missing girls were attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along the river, where most of the fatalities were recovered. Authorities have not yet confirmed the full number of people unaccounted for beyond those reported missing from the camp.
Relentless rain continued to pound areas outside San Antonio on Saturday, with flash flood warnings and watches remaining in place. Search crews deployed helicopters, boats, and drones to locate survivors stranded in trees or isolated in flooded camps.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed ongoing rescue efforts, declaring Sunday a day of prayer for the state. "I urge every Texan to join me in prayer — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,” he said.
Calls for Accountability Over Preparedness
Questions have emerged over whether residents and campers received adequate warning, given the region’s long history of deadly floods. The Hill Country, dotted with century-old summer camps and riverside communities, was especially crowded for the July 4th holiday, complicating efforts to track the missing.
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“The camp was completely destroyed,” said 13-year-old Elinor Lester, one of hundreds of young campers at Camp Mystic. She described how a rope was tied across a bridge to help girls wade through rushing waters as helicopters airlifted people to safety. “It was really scary,” she said.
Frantic families posted photos of missing loved ones online, including an 8-year-old girl from Alabama confirmed dead and the director of another nearby camp.
Flash flood warnings were issued hours in advance by the National Weather Service and private forecaster AccuWeather, who said officials had enough time to evacuate at-risk areas like Camp Mystic. Some nearby camps, including Mo-Ranch Camp and Camps Rio Vista and Sierra Vista, moved campers to higher ground after monitoring weather reports.
Officials, however, insisted the intensity of the storm exceeded expectations. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district includes the devastated region, described the flood as a “once-in-a-century” event but acknowledged that questions over preparedness and accountability were inevitable.
Rescue Efforts Face Harsh Conditions
More than 850 people were rescued over the past 36 hours, with helicopters and drones searching every possible location, said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged full federal support, while Coast Guard aircraft assisted operations, even in darkness.
A reunification center at an elementary school, which sheltered hundreds of evacuees, remained active, though progress finding the missing was limited. “We’ve had a little success, but not much,” said Ingram Independent School District Superintendent Bobby Templeton.
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Survivors Cling to Trees and Attics
Residents described harrowing escapes. Erin Burgess clung to a tree with her teenage son as floodwaters engulfed her home, fearing for her boyfriend and dog, both later found alive. Barry Adelman and his family, including his 94-year-old grandmother, sought refuge in their attic as water filled their three-story house. “I was scared to death,” Adelman admitted.
Locals know the area as "flash flood alley," where rain rushes down hills instead of soaking into the ground. Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is collecting donations, said, “It rushes down the hill.”
Warnings and Missed Opportunities
Officials had considered installing a flood warning system similar to tornado sirens about six years ago, but cost concerns shelved the plan, said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. “We know the river rises, but nobody saw this coming,” Kelly added.
Touring the devastated area by helicopter, Kelly described the heartbreak of seeing body bags and widespread destruction. "The rescue has gone as well as can be expected. It’s getting time now for recovery,” he said, warning that the process will be long and challenging.
Source: Agency