Catastrophic flash floods tore through central Texas on July 4th, leaving at least 24 people dead and dozens missing—including up to 25 girls from a summer camp—officials confirmed Friday. The sudden disaster struck during Independence Day celebrations, prompting a massive federal and state emergency response.
U.S. President Donald Trump called the tragedy “shocking” and “terrible,” while Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that federal aid had been approved to support rescue and recovery operations.
The Guadalupe River surged by a staggering 26 feet in just 45 minutes, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick revealed at a press conference, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and lives in its path.
“It was a destructive flood—taking property and, tragically, lives,” Patrick said.
Efforts remain focused on Camp Mystic, where more than 20 young girls remain unaccounted for. Although officials emphasized that some missing individuals may simply be out of contact due to power and communication outages, concerns remain high.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department deployed teams to the site, while a statewide emergency operation has mobilized over 400 personnel, 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and nine specialist rescue units. So far, 237 people have been rescued from the flood zone, according to Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer.
Governor Abbott declared disaster zones across the Hill Country and Concho Valley regions, as the area received several months’ worth of rainfall in just hours. Kerr County, among the hardest-hit, reported “several” fatalities and additional missing persons.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly addressed growing public criticism over why summer camps weren’t evacuated sooner.
“No one knew this kind of flood was coming,” Kelly said. “We do not have a warning system.”
He compared the event to the infamous 1987 Comfort flood that killed 10 teenagers, calling this week’s flooding “far worse.”
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring also confirmed the lack of an early warning infrastructure in the area. “There was simply no alert in place for something of this scale,” he said.
Shocking images from the region show submerged bridges, cars washed off roadways, and families wading through chest-deep waters in search of loved ones. Social media and local forums like Kerrville Breaking News have been inundated with desperate pleas for information on missing family members—including elderly residents, young couples, and summer campers.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a stark warning: “Folks, please don’t take chances. Stay alert, follow local emergency warnings, and never attempt to drive through floodwaters.”
Meanwhile, storms in other parts of the country have also proven deadly. In New Jersey, at least three people were killed when trees fell on vehicles during Thursday night’s severe weather. The victims included a 79-year-old man, a 25-year-old, and a 44-year-old woman.
Back in Texas, rescue efforts are expected to continue throughout the weekend, with authorities urging anyone living near creeks, streams, or the Guadalupe River to move to higher ground immediately as more rain is forecast.
