A massive search and rescue operation is ongoing in Texas Floods after sudden flash floods claimed the lives of at least 24 people and left dozens missing, including many young girls attending a Christian summer camp. The disaster occurred as the Guadalupe River surged by an astonishing 26 feet (7.9 meters) in under an hour, overwhelming the surrounding areas and sweeping away homes, vehicles, and vacation cabins over the July 4th weekend.
The Texas floods struck with very little warning. Many residents and visitors in the Kerrville area were caught off guard as the river quickly overflowed, turning roads into rivers and cutting off entire communities. Mobile homes, RVs, and campgrounds were destroyed or carried away by the rushing waters.
President Donald Trump described the flooding as “shocking” and “terrible,” while the White House promised additional federal assistance to support ongoing recovery and rescue efforts.
Photos and videos from the scene show bridges submerged beneath murky floodwaters and strong currents racing through residential areas. The devastation has left parts of central Texas virtually unrecognizable.
Eyewitnesses Describe Horror as Texas Floods Hit
Eyewitness Bud Bolton told the San Antonio Express-News about the chaos as the floodwaters swept through a local RV park.
“(They were) caught inside that RV, and that RV’s floating away,” he recalled. “And kids are screaming, and you can’t do nothing for them.”
Another resident, Thomas Rux, said he was awoken by thunder and heavy rainfall. He was told to evacuate by emergency responders, but before he could leave, his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters.
Restaurant owner Lorena described the scene as “total devastation.” She added, “Helicopters are flying in, rescuing people trapped in trees. It’s bad.”
The most alarming concern is the fate of up to 25 girls still unaccounted for from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located just outside Kerrville, about 64 miles northwest of San Antonio. The camp was hosting 750 girls at the time the floods hit.
Camp staff reported that they have no power, no clean water, and no internet access. The highway leading to the camp has been washed away, making rescue efforts even more difficult.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed that communication lines were down but urged parents not to panic.
“If you haven’t been contacted, your child is accounted for,” Patrick said. “That does not mean the missing children have been lost. They could be out of communication.”
Camp Mystic, which serves girls who have completed the second grade or higher, remains one of the most impacted areas by the Texas floods.
Several counties in Texas floods have declared a state of emergency due to widespread destruction caused by the floods. Roads have been obliterated, and phone lines remain down in many areas. The Hill Country and Concho Valley regions have been particularly hard hit.
Officials say helicopters, drones, and boats are being used in search and rescue missions, and efforts will continue until every missing person is found.
Judge Rob Kelly, the top official in Kerr County, defended the lack of early evacuation, stating, “We didn’t know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.”
He compared the disaster to a 1987 flood that killed 10 teenagers in a church camp bus near Comfort, saying Friday’s tragedy far surpassed it.
The Texas floods Division of Emergency Management held several meetings in preparation for heavy rainfall, but officials admitted that the National Weather Service had not forecast the volume of rain that eventually fell. Initial predictions estimated around 8 inches (20 cm) of rain, but the actual figures exceeded expectations dramatically.
Local authorities, including the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, are urging residents near creeks, rivers, and streams to evacuate to higher ground immediately. Emergency services have also warned outsiders to stay away from the region to avoid hindering rescue operations.
“If you do not live in the area, do not come,” one official emphasized.
The tragic Texas floods have exposed serious vulnerabilities in flood preparedness and emergency communication systems across the state. As search and rescue teams continue working around the clock, families are left hoping for positive news amid one of the worst natural disasters to hit central Texas floods in recent years.
Source-BBC
