Flash floods struck Texas on July 4, killing at least 24 people and leaving over 20 children missing. The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping away vehicles, cabins, and homes during holiday celebrations.
Rescue teams are searching for up to 25 girls from Camp Mystic, a long-standing summer camp near Kerrville. The site, now without power or water, hosted 750 campers. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the children “could be out of communication,” not necessarily lost.
Dalton Rice, Kerrville’s city manager, explained that record rainfall hit both forks of the river at once, causing water levels to spike from 7 to 29 feet in minutes. This sudden rise overwhelmed the area’s flood defenses.
Hundreds of troopers, boats, divers, and seven helicopters have been deployed. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed full support, while President Trump called it a “terrible thing.” Officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads and follow emergency guidance as rescue efforts continue.