Catastrophic Rainfall Triggers Massive Rescue Operations in Kerr County

Catastrophic floods in Central Texas have claimed at least 24 lives and left numerous others—including over 20 children from a summer camp—missing. Up to 15 inches of rain fell on Thursday night, causing the deluge, which has caused extensive damage along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and several flash flood emergencies. Search and rescue efforts are in progress, with 14 helicopters and 500 rescue workers sent out to find missing people and stranded residents. As the situation progresses, authorities caution that the death toll could increase.

Unprecedented Flooding Overwhelms Kerr County

The Guadalupe River surged dramatically, rising 22 to 30 feet in just hours, according to reports, marking one of the highest crests ever recorded in the region. The rapid rise, fueled by 5 to 15 inches of rain falling overnight, swept through homes, businesses, and Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas. Twenty-three to twenty-five girls from the camp, which at the time housed about 750 children, are among the missing. This flood event along the Guadalupe River is extremely dangerous and could be fatal! The National Weather Service in San Antonio and Austin urged residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Massive Rescue Efforts Underway

With 500 emergency personnel, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones involved in search and rescue efforts, Texas authorities have mobilized a strong response. There have been 237 rescues thus far, including 167 by helicopter, and the agencies involved include the Texas National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In a disaster declaration for Kerr and the surrounding counties, Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated, “Searches will continue in the darkness of night, and they will continue into the early hours.”

With assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, the state’s main search and rescue team has been sent in to help. Children from Camp Mystic and other survivors have been evacuated thanks in large part to helicopters; some of them were saved from trees along the river. Because the entire county is still a “extremely active scene,” the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has advised citizens to stay indoors and refrain from traveling.

Impact on Camp Mystic and Local Communities

With 23 to 25 girls still missing, Camp Mystic has been particularly hard hit by the flooding. Parents who were distraught over their missing daughters, Hadley and Greta, respectively, included Carrie Hanna and Ellen Toranzo. The Guadalupe River surged to almost 30 feet, breaking records set during the 1987 flood, severely flooding the camp along the river. There were reports of smashed windows, torn-off doors, and cars washed away from nearby homes in Kerrville and Ingram.

To assist evacuees, a number of shelter homes have been established, including a nearby Walmart that is acting as a makeshift reunification center. Authorities are running shelters to keep track of those who have been rescued, and the Red Cross is helping. However, with almost 3,000 people without power in Kerrville, efforts are being complicated by downed power lines, flooded roads, and spotty cellphone service.

Flood Warnings and Ongoing Threats

With an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain expected, the National Weather Service has extended a flash flood warning for Kerr County, which includes towns like Kerrville, Ingram, and Center Point. After months of drought, the area is already saturated, and runoff and river flooding pose additional risks. “The situation is potentially fatal! The weather service advised people living close to the Guadalupe River to evacuate to higher ground right away, warning them not to venture out onto the roads.

Federal and State Response

When asked about federal assistance for the disaster, President Donald Trump said, “We’ll take care of them,” while speaking aboard Air Force One. The White House has also communicated with Senator Ted Cruz and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick of Texas, who have noted that Trump pledged to provide “ANYTHING Texas needs.” Judge Rob Kelly of Kerr County acknowledged that “we didn’t know this kind of flood was coming,” highlighting the criticism of the lack of an early warning system. Authorities were unprepared for the unprecedented rainfall, even though there had been previous flood watches.

A Region in Crisis

With rescue efforts ongoing around-the-clock and more rain predicted, the focus remains on finding the missing, especially the children from Camp Mystic. Governor Abbott called the floods a “extraordinary catastrophe” that has left deep scars across Central Texas. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane, whatever is needed, is going to be involved,” Abbott said, highlighting the state’s commitment to the recovery effort.