Desperate search for girls swept away at summer camp after Texas floods kill 24 people

 

The flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, has been a devastating event, claiming at least 24 lives and leaving approximately 20 girls missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River. The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall of up to 10-12 inches overnight, caused the river to surge dramatically, rising 26 feet in just 45 minutes, surpassing levels seen in the 1987 flood that killed 10 teenagers. This catastrophic event has swept away homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, with the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office describing it as a “mass casualty event.”

Rescue operations are ongoing, with over 237 people evacuated, including 167 by helicopter, as reported by Major General Thomas Suelzer. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency for 15 counties, mobilizing resources like the Texas National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and FEMA to aid in search and rescue efforts. Helicopters, drones, and boats are being used to locate survivors, some of whom were found stranded in trees.

President Donald Trump called the situation “terrible” and “shocking,” pledging federal support to work with Governor Abbott to provide aid. First Lady Melania Trump also expressed sympathy, offering prayers for those affected.

The community is reeling, with families posting desperate pleas on social media for information about missing loved ones, including campers like 9-year-old Lainey Landry and HISD student Greta Toranzo. The lack of a robust warning system has drawn scrutiny, as officials noted the National Weather Service underestimated the rainfall, predicting 3-8 inches instead of the 10-15 inches that fell. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly emphasized that the rapid onset of the flood, occurring in the early morning hours, caught many off guard.

Rescue efforts continue 24/7, with authorities urging residents to avoid flooded areas and stay off roads to aid emergency operations. Governor Abbott has called for prayers, stating, “This is a time when we as a state, as a community, need God more than ever.