Central Texas Flash Floods Devastate Camp, Kill 43 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Historic flash flash flood in Kerr County drowned 43 people, including 15 children, and left dozens missing. Search-and-rescue teams are sweeping devastated areas, focusing on 27 missing Camp Mystic girls. Authorities face scrutiny over weather warnings and flood preparedness in this flash‑flood‑prone region.
Quick Looks
- Historic downpour: Guadalupe River surged 26 ft (8 m) in just 45 minutes pre‑dawn.
- Camp Mystic missing: 27 girls unaccounted for after river washed away cabins and cars.
- Rescue operation: Helicopters, boats, drones deployed; 850+ saved so far.
- Preparedness questions: Warnings issued, yet camps lacked evacuation systems; local scrutiny intensifies.
Deep Look
Central Texas is grappling with devastation following a historic and deadly flash flood that surged through Kerr County before dawn on Friday, July 4th weekend. With at least 43 confirmed fatalities, including 15 children, and 27 girls from Camp Mystic still missing, what began as a weekend of summer celebration turned into a rescue and recovery crisis of staggering proportions.
The Guadalupe River rose a staggering 26 feet in just 45 minutes, fueled by an intense storm system that unloaded several months’ worth of rain overnight. Rescue crews, many exhausted yet resolute, have been working around the clock, navigating through debris-filled floodplains, mangled vehicles, and toppled trees in a desperate bid to locate survivors. The area most impacted surrounds Camp Mystic, a historic Christian summer camp, where floodwaters tore through cabins and facilities under the cover of darkness.
“We’re looking in every possible location,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice. “The camp was completely destroyed.” Helicopters, boats, and drones have been deployed to scan the area from the air and water, rescuing people trapped in trees, on rooftops, and in remote areas cut off by collapsed roads. More than 850 people have been rescued so far, with many airlifted from stranded zones.
The scale of the disaster prompted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to declare Sunday a day of prayer across the state. “I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — 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.
But as the water recedes, scrutiny is intensifying. Critics and residents are questioning whether local and state authorities did enough to prepare for the possibility of flash flooding. AccuWeather and the National Weather Service issued warnings several hours before the deluge struck, indicating that flash flooding was highly likely. According to AccuWeather, those alerts should have allowed sufficient time for evacuations—particularly at summer camps, which often host hundreds of children in areas known for poor drainage and limited escape routes.
The Texas Hill Country, often called “flash flood alley,” is particularly vulnerable due to its terrain. Runoff from the surrounding hills collects rapidly in low-lying valleys and riverbeds, triggering sudden and severe flooding. Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said, “When it rains, water doesn’t soak into the soil—it rushes down the hill.”
In the community of Hunt, staff at Mo-Ranch Camp evacuated several hundred church youth conference attendees to higher ground before floodwaters arrived. Likewise, nearby Camps Rio Vista and Sierra Vista had publicly posted that they were monitoring weather forecasts. But at Camp Mystic, the destruction and loss were profound.
Heartbreaking accounts continue to emerge. Thirteen-year-old camper Elinor Lester described the chaos: “A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.” Her group had to cross a bridge with floodwaters whipping at their legs, clutching a rope tied by rescuers to keep from being swept away.
Grief is raw and widespread. Among the victims is an 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, and a director from a nearby camp. Families have flooded social media with photos and desperate pleas, hoping to reconnect with missing loved ones. One reunification center at a local elementary school—once buzzing with evacuees—now sees fewer visitors, though officials say hopeful parents and relatives still arrive seeking news.
Ingram resident Erin Burgess shared how she and her teenage son clung to a tree in the middle of the night as water surged into their home. “My boyfriend and dog floated away. We thought we lost them,” she said tearfully. Others, like Barry Adelman, were forced to shelter in their attic with elderly and young family members. “I had to tell my grandson everything would be OK—even though I wasn’t sure,” he said.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the region’s top elected official, expressed anguish after surveying damage from a helicopter. He confirmed that years ago, officials considered installing a flood warning siren system similar to tornado alarms, but the plan was never implemented, partly due to budgetary concerns. “Nobody saw this coming,” he admitted.
U.S. Representative Chip Roy, who represents the affected district, called the flood a “once-in-a-century event.” He acknowledged that there would be “second-guessing and finger-pointing,” especially as the community begins a long and painful recovery.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the disaster zone, promising federal resources and support. The Coast Guard, already operating helicopters and night-vision drones, will continue assisting local teams in locating the missing.
As communities along the Guadalupe River begin to assess the damage and count the costs, one thing is clear: The recovery will be long, difficult, and emotional. For many in the Texas Hill Country, the floodwaters took not just homes—but family, history, and peace of mind.
Central Texas Flash
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