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A desperate search and rescue effort is underway in the Texas Hill Country, where 20 girls remain missing after flash flooding swept through Camp Mystic, a private Christian Bible camp along the Guadalupe River.
Update:
At least 24 people have now been confirmed dead in Kerr County. Authorities fear the missing girls may have been swept away or are stranded and unable to reach help.
Located along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, Camp Mystic has welcomed generations of campers since 1926. Overnight rainfall totalling 15 to 25 centimetres caused the river to surge more than 6.7 metres in just a few hours, sweeping away cabins and trapping many campers, according to reports.
Many of the girls were asleep in their cabins when the floodwaters rose, Business Insider reports. While some were successfully evacuated, others remain unaccounted for. Kerr County officials described the event as “catastrophic” and said emergency services, including helicopter crews, drones, and nearly 500 personnel, are conducting search and rescue operations throughout the region.
Helicopter Lifts Camper to Safety Amid Torrential Flood
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, currently acting as governor, urged the public not to give up hope. He noted that some of the missing girls may have sought refuge in trees or isolated areas without access to communication.
Governor Greg Abbott shared a video on X on Friday evening of a girl being rescued from trees by helicopter. "Air rescue missions like this are being done around the clock," Abbott wrote. "We will not stop until everyone is accounted for."
Air rescue missions like this are being done around the clock.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 4, 2025
We will not stop until everyone is accounted for. pic.twitter.com/tqwTr1RkEi
Patrick also confirmed the state has requested assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess the integrity of the Canyon Lake Dam and said the White House has pledged federal support if needed.
Governor Greg Abbott mobilized state emergency response resources through the Texas Division of Emergency Management, instructing them to coordinate with local authorities and bolster the ongoing search efforts. Residents across the region were urged to stay indoors and avoid all low-lying areas.
The community has rallied in response to the crisis. Parents and volunteers are circulating flyers with the names and photos of missing children across social media, and reunification centres have been set up in nearby Kerrville to support families.
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