Flash Flood Kills 13 in Texas, Over 20 Girls Still Missing

At least 13 people were confirmed dead and more than 20 others, mostly girls attending a summer camp, remained missing after a sudden flash flood swept through south-central Texas early Friday.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported the death toll during a press briefing, warning that the number of casualties could rise as search operations continued in the region northwest of San Antonio.

Some of the victims were children, according to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. He said approximately 23 girls from Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, were still unaccounted for after the river surged 26 feet (eight metres) in just 45 minutes overnight.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean they are lost—we hope some are sheltering or out of communication,” Patrick said, citing a message from the camp’s director who described the flooding as “catastrophic.” The message added that the camp had no power, water, or internet.

More than 750 campers had been staying at the facility over the July 4 holiday weekend. Rescue trucks began arriving at the site by Friday evening, and efforts to evacuate people were underway.

Authorities warned the public to avoid the area, where dozens of roads remained impassable. Videos on social media showed homes and trees being swept away by the floodwaters, triggered by overnight rainfall reaching up to 12 inches—roughly a third of Kerr County’s average annual precipitation.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared a video of a dramatic rescue, where a person stranded in a tree was airlifted by helicopter. “Air rescue missions are being conducted around the clock. We will not stop until everyone is accounted for,” Abbott said.

Freeman Martin, head of the state’s public safety department, labelled the disaster a "mass casualty event." Around 500 emergency personnel and 14 helicopters have been deployed, with assistance from the Texas National Guard and the US Coast Guard.

Although the rain subsided temporarily, forecasters warned that another wave of rainfall was approaching the San Antonio and Austin regions.

“This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who admitted the community was unprepared for such a powerful flood despite the region’s history of frequent flooding.

A flood warning remained in effect for Kerr County, with authorities urging residents along the Guadalupe River to move to higher ground immediately.

Flash floods—common during heavy downpours when the ground cannot absorb rain—are becoming more severe and frequent due to climate change, experts say.

Earlier in June, at least 10 people died in San Antonio during similar flash flooding. On Friday, two people were also killed in New Jersey when a tree toppled onto their vehicle during a severe storm.